nature of God

• God as Creator - Genesis 1:3-5
• Some Jews are ‘literalists’ and believe every word of the Torah is the direct word of God.

  
  

  Others believe it is not literally true and is intended to show the truth that God created everything ‘ex nihilo’

  (from nothing). What they all have in common is the belief that God is the Creator of all that exists.
• Jews believe that all things constantly depend upon God as Sustainer – without God, all things would cease to exist.
• The aspect of God as the sustainer of the world is acknowledged by Jews when they say grace after every meal.
• “…keep his commands, decrees and laws; then you will live and increase, and the Lord your God will bless you in the land you are entering to possess.” Deuteronomy 30:16 (God as lawgiver and judge)
• “But the Lord is king forever; he has set up his throne for judgement. He rules the world with righteousness; he judges the nations with justice” Psalm 9:7-8
• 613 mitzvot embody God’s will for humanity - God wants Jews to live out these on behalf of everyone else
• Every mitzvoth has a spiritual meaning that serves to focus the heart and mind on God