Judaism

• Judaism


  • Beliefs and teachings
  • The nature of G-d
  • G-d as One and as creator
  • The Shema (statement of belief)
  • Monotheism
  • G-d made the world-ex-nihilo (from nothing)
  • The Jewish story of creation
  • G-d revealed himself through his creation
  • Law-giver and judge
  • G-d has given many laws (mitzvot)
  • The Tenakh
  • Shekhinah - the Divine Presence
• Shema


  Statement of belief affirming belief in One G-d
• Monotheism


  • Belief in One G-d who is indivisible and complete
• 1. d made the world-ex-nihilo


  From nothing, in his way and not dependent on anything
• The Jewish story of creation is found in the Book of Genesis describing the six days of creation and G-d resting on the seventh (hence the Shabbat day of rest)
• The world exists


  Because G-d wills it to, he existed before anything else and is eternal, and the world continues to exist because he wills it to
• 1. d revealed himself


  Through his creation but remains incomprehensible to humans
• 1. d as Law-giver and judge

  2. d wants humanity to live a certain way and if they do, they will be serving G-d
• Laws given by G-d


  • Seven Laws of Noah
  • Ten Commandments given to Moses
  • 613 laws covering all aspects of life, both spiritual and material actions
• The Tenakh includes examples of people disobeying G-d's laws, and how G-d punished them
• 1. d will judge everyone


  With mercy, and those who have purified their soul in this life will be able to appreciate Paradise in the afterlife
• Shekhinah


  The Divine Presence, expressing how G-d is involved in the world
• Humans cannot see G-d but people have said they have felt his presence
• Descriptions of Shekhinah


  • A light created to connect G-d and the world
  • 'the glory of G-d' surrounding people
  • 'the earth shone in his glory'
  • 'a pillar of cloud by day and fire by night'
  • 'clouds covering something to be filled with G-d's presence'
  • 'G-d dwelling' in places
• Creator


  The belief that G-d created the world from nothing
• Mitzvot


  613 laws given by G-d to the Israelites (Jewish people), which are kept as part of the covenant between G-d and His Chosen People
• Shabbat


  The Jewish holy day/day of rest
• Shekhinah


  Divine presence of G-d
• Tenakh


  Jewish scriptures comprising the Torah, Nev'im and Ketuvim