Judaism

Judaism

1. Key Words

   • Synagogue
     • A Jewish place of worship. House of assembly for public study and assembly.
   • Shekinhhah
     • the place where God's presence is felt and if it exists or not.
   • Shabbat
     • Day of rest which lasts from Friday evening to Saturday evening.
   • Kosher
     • 'Fit' or 'proper' foods which is prepared in a way that is suitable for Jewish people to eat.
   • Torah
     • 613 rules. Jewish Holy book. 5 books of Moses.
   • Mitzvot
     • Mix of meanings. Often refers to duties and good deeds.
   • Messiah
     • Anointed one who will come and make Jews live peacefully.
   • Covenant
     • A covenant between two or more parties. e.g. Abraham and God's covenant.

2. The concept and nature of God.

   • Jews believe that God is the source of all Jewish morality, beliefs and values, which effect Jewish people's decisions.
   • God is constantly at work
   • God sustains them.
   • God demands loyalty.

3. God or G-d?

   • Prefer not to write the word God, instead they use G-d.
   • See it as a sign of respect.
   • Letters of the name God YHWH - never said out loud by Jews.
   • Substitute with the Hebrew word 'Adonai', which means 'my lord'.
   • Any book containing the Hebrew name of God is treated with respect and is never destroyed.
   • Old books are kept in the synagogue before being buried in a Jewish cemetery.

4. God as One.

   • Hear, O Israel! The Lord is ur God, the Lord alone. Yo shall love the Lord your God with all you heart and with all your soul and with all you might.
     • Shema extract - same as us making the sign of the cross.
   • God requires total loyalty, just like loyalty is needed in any full and loving relationship.
   • Jews need to have spiritual dedication to one God.

5. God as Creator

   • From the start of the Torah it says God is the creator of the universe.
     • Believe this literally.
   • Created the universe 6000 years ago.
   • Shabbat reminds them of God's resting day.
   • Reject scientific theories of evolution.

6. Evil and Free Will

   • God is omnipotent, omniscient and omnipresent.
   • God must have created evil himself.
   • Also give people free will to reject evil.
   • Evil must exist in order for people to have free will so we can choose to do good.
   • Holocaust is a necessary consequence of giving humans free will.

7. God the sustainer.

   • God not only created the universe but he also sustains it.
   • God provided sufficient resources on the planet to feed and provide for all species.
   • The fact that resources are distributed unequally, so that some have less than they need, is a result of human free will
   • Those who help provide resources to others are helping to fulfil God's plan.

8. Shekinah

   • Means 'God's manifested glory' or 'God's divine presence'.
   • Refers to the presence of God on earth.
   • Tabernacle
     • Portable structure, similar to a tent.
     • Jewish writings refer to it.
     • Jews carried the tabernacle with them on their journey after their exodus from Egypt.

9. Reformed jews

   • Understanding of the Messiah.
     • 1843, German Jews were emancipated for the first time in the two thousand years they had lived in Egypt.
       • Integation
         • Principle of Messiah had to change.
           • Old view not compatible with modern secular life.
             • Chose to make, join society or go against it.
     • Believe it will be a group of people
   • Sanctity of life
     • Great honour to donate organs to save another person's life.
     • Shouldn't prolong a natural death.
     • Required to observe Shabbat however shabbat law can be set aside if it is in order to save a life.
   • Worshhip
     • Believe that their religion should change its practices to become more relevant with modern life.
     • The overall spiritual and moral code within the Torah and the Talmud must be obeyed, rather than each individual law.
     • Do not hold daily services.
     • Equality for men and women.
       • Men and women sit together.
       • Women take a more active part than in orthodox tradition..
       • Women can become a rabbi, publically read the Torah, be a cantor, be part of the minyan.
       • Most men wear a head - covering and some women worshippers wear a kippah or hat.
     • Singing may be accompanied by instruments.
     • Shorter services - more rigidly structured - set time.
   • Practice
     • Cn have someone next to a dead body but not necessary.
     • Don't mind whether body is buried or cremated.

10. Orthodox Jews

    • Understanding of the Messiah.
      • The Messiah has not came yet but will come in the future.
      • Believe it is one person that hasn't come yet.
      • Take Torah literally and it prophesises that the Messiah is on the way.
      • They worship the all powerful Messiah who is coming.
    • Sanctity of life
      • Believe patients should be kept alive at all costs
      • The body should be complete when buried and donated organs make this possible.
        • Shouldn't alter the body.
      • Disagree with abortion, euthanasia, and death sentences.
      • When in hospital will use anything available to save a life.
    • Worship
      • Different roles for men and women, which result in different religious duties and responsibilities.
      • Men and women sit separately.
        • To avoid distraction or sexual thoughts. Enables the focus to be on prayers and coming close to God. Believe a greater level of personal connection with God can be achieved this way.
      • Currently all orthodox rabbis are male.
      • Men always cover their heads when attending the synagogue in order to show respect.
    • Believe you must always have someone with a dead body
    • Against cremation because they believe they shouldn't be damaged before their spiritual resurrection.
    • Believe when the Messiah comes they will live in peaceful existence ( spiritually ).

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