Judaism

• Mezuzah


  A parchment inscribed with religious texts and attached in a case to the door post of a Jewish house as a sign of faith
• Tefillin


  Two black leather boxes with straps which are put on by adult Jews for weekday morning prayers and are worn on the forehead and upper arm
• The Almighty as one


  • This characteristic is important because it is the most important Jewish belief
  • Jews show their belief in God's oneness when they touch the mezuzah or wear the tefillin (by orthodox Jews)
• Deuteronomy 4:39

  "Hear O Israel the word is one"
• The Almighty as creator


  • This belief is important because they believe everything that exists comes from God
• Genesis 1:1

  "In the beginning God created the heavens and the Earth", "God created human life"
• Pikuach nefesh


  • The idea that life is so sacred that a Jew must do everything they can to save a life that is in danger allowing them to break a mitzvot
• The Almighty as Lawgiver


  • This belief is important because Jews do not believe that God just created the world and left it, but that he gave laws for peace and harmony
• Deuteronomy 32

  This source means that God created it and gave laws for it
• The Almighty as judge

  • This belief is important because the Tanakh teaches that God will judge Jewish people on how well they have kept his laws
• Psalm 9

  This source means that those who have lived righteously will be rewarded but those who have not will be punished
• Shekinah

  The place where God's presence rests and can be felt
• Ways Jews can encounter the divine presence today(within the synagogue)

  • Ner Tamid (the lamp that burns all the time)
  • Torah scrolls (treated with great respect as they are the Shekinah and studied to be closer to God)
  • Ark of the Covenant (only the priest can approach as it is holy)
  • Orthodox view Shekinah as a light linking God and the world, similar to the Christian Holy Spirit
  • Reform view Shekinah as feminine
• Divergent views on Shekinah

  • Kabbalist view Shekinah as a gateway to higher consciousness and able to experience God
• Genesis describes the presence of God in the Garden of Eden when Adam and Eve eat from the Tree of Life
• God's presence guides Moses throughout the wilderness to the Promised Land
• God instructed Moses to build a tabernacle, a portable temple, where he could dwell among them
• Reform Jews


  Don't believe the Messiah will be a person they believe in a messianic age that will occur when people follow the Commandments and treat each other with justice
• What is the event that led to the covenant at sinai

  Israelites were saved from slavery in Egypt
• Role and significance of Moses

  • Given the ten commandments
  • Led Israelites out of slavery in Egypt
  • Took Israelites towards promised land
• Importance of covenant at sanai

  Jews were made the Chosen people in return for keeping the mitzvot. Laws were given to Moses to guide the Jews to love and worship God building a relationship with God
• Importance of 10 commandments (decalogue)

  • They are a guide for Jewish living today
  • they are part of the covenants at sanai which applies to all Jews
  • God will judge Jews on how well they followed these roles
  • makes Jews better people
  • Helps Jews to treat others with respect
  • guides Jews to love and worship God
• The 10 Commandments

  • Do not have any other gods
  • Do not make or worship idols
  • Do not disrespect or misuse God's name
  • Remember the Sabbath and keep it holy
  • Honour your mother and father
  • Do not commit murder
  • Do not commit adultery
  • Do not steal
  • Do not tell lies
  • Do not be envious of others
• The 10 Commandments are found in the book of


  Exodus 20:
• Shema


  "Hear o Israel the Lord our God the Lord is one"
• What is the quote that proves God being the creator

  Genesis 1:1 "in the beginning God created the heavens and the earth
• The characteristics and nature of the messiah

  • A male descendants of David
  • Rain as King, deal wisely and execute justice
  • A perfect teacher of Jewish laws
• What will happen during the messianic age

  • ​​ rebuild temple
  • bring peace
  • bring awareness of God to all people
• Orthodox belief about Messiah

  They believe he will be a person and they expect his coming and pray about it
• Significance of Abrahamic covenant

  • It was the start of the relationship between God and Jews
  • Covenant marks the origins of Jewish practice of circumcision
  • Ritual started is the Brit milah
• Abraham is the father of a great nation he's the founder of Judaism
• Through the abrahamic Covenant it established the rejection of false gods and reinforced Jews monotheistic nature
• Sancity of life


  Believe that life is Holy and belongs to God only God can give life and only God can take it away
• L'Chaim! - To life
• 4 execeptions of Pikuach Nefesh

  Murder, idolatry, incest, adultery are all forbidden under any circumstances
• Examples of Pikuach Nefesh

  1. Driving an ill person to hospital on Shabbat
  2. Using a phone to call emergency services on Shabbat
  3. Extinguishing a fire if someone were trapped