judaism

• Monotheistic


  To worship one god while denying the existence of other gods
• Beliefs about God


  • Omnipotent (all-powerful)
  • Omniscient (all-knowing)
  • Omnibenevolent (all-good)
  • Omnipresent
• Words Jewish people would refer to God


  • Judge
  • Redeemer
  • Creator
  • Eternal
• God's name is holy or sacred
• Contents of the Torah


  • Genesis
  • Exodus
  • Leviticus
  • Numbers
  • Deuteronomy
• Jews believe that God dictated the Torah to Moses on Mount Sinai 50 days after their exodus from Egyptian slavery
• Jews believe that the Torah shows how God wants Jews to live
• Living According to the Torah


  1. Remembering the Exodus story and celebrating Passover

  2. Following the teachings of the Ten Commandments

  3. Adhering closely to the 613 mitzvot
• Covenant


  An agreement, a deal between God and mankind
• Leave your country, your people and your father's household and go to the land/will show you. I will make you into a great nation and I will bless you; I will make your name great, and you will be a blessing.: 'Genesis 12:1-2'
• Importance of the Covenant


  • Abraham became the first human to reject false gods in favour of the one true G-d
  • The covenant between G-d and Abraham was the start of the relationship between G-d and the Jewish people
  • The covenant carries with it the promise of the land of Canaan
  • The covenant marks the origins of the Jewish practice of circumcision
• Brit Milah


  The Covenant of Circumcision
• Brit Milah Ceremony


  1. Baby boys are circumcised on the 8th day by a Mohel

  2. It can take place at home, or in the Synagogue, and the father must be present

  3. An empty chair is provided for Elijah who is believed to at the ceremony

  4. The baby may be presented for circumcision by the mother or grandmother and is placed on the lap of a specially chosen person-the Sandek

  5. After the ceremony the child receives his Hebrew name, and a couple of drops of wine are placed on his tongue
• Kashrut


  Religious dietary laws, which means they will only consume food that is kosher
• Shabbat


  Jews will rest from their work from sundown on Friday until Saturday evening
• When the covenant is too difficult to live by in the 21st century


  • There are practical implications which can make day-to-day living too hard
  • The covenant is the basis for the Jews' relationship with God as a people, so it is as relevant today as it was when first given
  • Living according to the Torah binds Jews together as a community, and enables them to feel a deep connection with their ancestors and those who will come after them
• When the covenant is not too difficult to live by in the 21st century


  • The mitzvot are given by God, who is all-knowing and all-good, so Jews can be confident that they give them the best possible way to live
  • Keeping the covenant by following the rules in the Torah is how the Jews become a 'light to the nations', so they are not just benefitting themselves, but the whole world
  • Even though reformed Jews may see room for interpreting the rules in the Torah for the 21st century, they would argue that the principles still apply, and that the covenant relationship with God is central
• Exodus


  1. God speaks to Moses through a burning bush-asking him to deliver the Jews from slavery

  2. Moses visits the pharaoh, requesting him to release the Hebrew slaves

  3. Moses wams pharaoh before each of the 10 plagues, sent by God

  4. Hebrews mark their door posts with lamb's blood

  5. Pharaoh allows the Hebrews to leave, and Moses leads them to the Red Sea

  6. Pharaoh changes his mind, sending soldiers to bring the Hebrews back

  7. Moses parts the Red Sea, allowing the Hebrews to escape to freedom and the Red Sea closes over on the Egyptian army

  8. God provided manna during the wandering time

  9. Moses leads the Hebrews to Mt Sinai, where the Commandments are received, and the covenant was made
• Ways of Worship


  • Prayer
  • Study of the Torah
  • Synagogue services
• Why Jews Worship


  • It helps to show obedience towards God
  • Worshipping God is a commandment found in the Torah and is an act of love for God which strengthens the relationship between an individual and God
  • It strengthens the relationship of the Jewish community, with each other, and God
  • It helps Jews to get to know God
  • It helps Jews to receive strength from God
  • It is important to thank God, for example, Jews believe God is their deliverer who brought their ancestors out of Egypt
  • It is a reminder of the Jewish identity, one nation under the covenant
  • Daily worship helps develop discipline and build character
  • Sabbath worship brings spiritual and physical refreshment
• Dual Nature of Humans


  Yetzer Tov (inner conscience) and Yetzer Rah (desire for basic needs, including the inclination to do what's wrong)
• Both Yetzer Tov and Yetzer Rah were created by God, so ultimately good
• Free Will


  The ability to make their own decisions and distinguish right from wrong
• Jews believe that by following the mitzvot, they will live a good life, which will bring them closer to God
• God judges everyone on their use of free will, and it should be used responsibly to care for the planet, the environment and other humans
• Free will allows Jews the opportunity to follow the covenant, leading a life that is pleasing to God, bringing about fulfillment, and a guarantee that God will judge Jews favourably on the day of judgement
• Free will


  The idea that people are able to make their own decisions and distinguish right from wrong
• The story of Adam and Eve shows how God gave free will but also that there are negative consequences if that free will is used to go against God
• Mitzvoth


  Points of guidance to help Jewish people use their free will correctly
• Many Jews believe that by following the mitzvot, they will live a good life, which will bring them closer to God
• Some Jews believe following the mitzvot will help them be judged well in the afterlife and achieve a place in Gan Eden
• Free will allows Jews the opportunity to follow the covenant, leading a life that is pleasing to God, bringing about fulfilment, and a guarantee that God will judge Jews favourably on the day of judgement
• Abuse of free will does not bring you closer to God in this life or the next
• Sin


  Things like going astray (chet), or transgressing. Anything that goes against the 613 mitzvot
• People are born morally neutral, but have a tendency to want to give in to their animal nature (yetzer ha ra) and this can lead them astray so that they make bad choices, using free will
• Types of sin


  • Sins against God (e.g. breaking Shabbat)
  • Sins against people (e.g. gossip and lying is lashon hara)
• Some sins are worse than others, ranging from deliberate to sins of passion/emotion, or unintentional sins
• Yetzer ha tov


  The good inclination that reminds Jews of God's law
• Repentance


  1. Tfilah (prayer-seeking God's forgiveness)

  2. Teshuvah (returning to the law, repentance)

  3. Tzedakah (putting right wrongs they've done to others)
• Jews would ask for forgiveness from anyone they have wronged, and grant forgiveness to anyone who asks