RS - Unit 1

• How was the world created?

  • G-d
  • It has always existed
  • The big bang theory
• The origins of the world

  1. G-d created the world in 6 days, G-d rested on 7th day

  2. It was G-ds decision to create the world

  3. G-d has a detailed plan for creation

  4. He personally oversaw creation

  5. The world was created as perfect

  6. G-d created the world from nothing

  7. We can't understand creation
• The non-religious approach to the origins of the world

  The big bang theory, which states that atoms collided and caused the world to be created
• The big bang theory

  It opposes Judaism's belief that G-d created the world, but they can work together as G-d may have caused the big bang to happen
• Darwin's theory of evolution


  It opposes Judaism's belief that we were all put on here for a reason, but they can work together as G-d may have set off evolution
• Talmud - "The centre of the world is exactly where you stand"

  The world was created for our benefit, so we have the ability to change the world around us
• Mishnah - "Every individual is obligated to say 'for my sake the world was created'"


  Everyone is important and we should be putting ourselves before others
• Torah - "G-d took man and placed him in the Garden of Eden, to work it and guard it"


  1st example of Tikkun Olam, we have a duty to look after the world as it was loaned to us. Stewardship - we are meant to look after the world
• Talmud - "Man was created on the sixth day. If ever he is filled with pride, it can be said to him: A flea preceded you in creation"


  Don't be arrogant as a flea, which is a tiny creature, was made before us
• Treatment of animals


  • Talmud - "A person is prohibited to eat until he first feeds his animals"
  • Bereishit - G-d said that Man should dominate every animal on land and sea
  • Devarim - "I will grant forage in your fields for your animals, and you will eat and be satisfied"
  • Talmud - "Do not plough with an ox and donkey together"
• Why do people believe in a soul?

  • Upbringing
  • Religious texts/teachings
  • Miracles
  • Comfort of knowing life has a purpose (Secular view)
• Why don't people believe in a soul?

  • No physical evidence
  • It is just your consciousness based on how society has shaped you
  • Rational explanations for things that are supposedly evidence of a soul
• Midrash - The soul is the essence of G-d in our body


  It gives us life and we should fill it with goodliness
• Talmud - The body and soul is like the root of the tree and the tree


  The body and the soul work with each other, they need each other to function and the body is the physical part holding the spiritual soul
• Bereishit - "And G-d almighty formed man from the dust of the earth and breathed in his nostrils a living soul"


  The soul could be considered more important, as it was created first. Also, the soul gives the body life. The soul is divine, whereas the body is physical
• Bereshit - "And with the departing of her soul, she died"


  Without the soul, there is no life. Therefore the soul is more important as it is the spiritual connection with G-d
• Being made "In the image of G-d"

  According to Rashi, it means that we can understand things

  According to Rambam, it means that we can perceive things using our intellect
• The Yetzer Ra and the Yetzer Tov (Jewish consciousness)


  The Yetzer Ra is bad and Yetzer Tov is good, they tell us to choose between good and bad
• Impacts of the Yetzer Ra and Yetzer Tov


  • People may struggle to make decisions

  Cause inner conflict

  Live in fear

  Might encourage us to think twice

  Might want to cut out all evil

  Might not make a difference
• Why might people not believe in the Yetzer Ra and Yetzer Tov?

  • There is no physical evidence

  Why would G-d tempt us into sinning

  Why would G-d want us to worry

  How do we have freewill
• Selfishness


  Self interest and concern with individual needs/wants which excludes considering those of others
• Greed


  An excessive desire for things, such as wealth or food, which bears no relations to actual needs
• Ignorance (in relation to wrongdoing)


  Not knowing or understanding the difference between right or wrong, or what makes actions wrong
• Sin


  Behaviour which is against the law of G-d
• Consumerism


  Protection or promotion of the interests of consumers
• Distribution of wealth


  The way in which wealth is divided among the population or among nations
• Productivity


  The state or quality of being productive
• Why are people selfish?

  • Psychological difficulties

  Peer pressure

  Greed

  Revenge

  Jealous

  Upbringing
• What can be done to overcome selfishness?

  • Rules - consequences

  Education

  Intervention

  Religion

  Direct those that need help
• Why does Judaism agree with selfishness?

  • We are selfish by human nature

  Need to look after ourselves before looking after others

  If you are selfless your whole life then you will burn out

  Amidah is full of praying for things that we want
• Why does Judaism disagree with selfishness?

  • We are taught to love our neighbour as ourselves (respect everyone)

  Tzedakah

  Tikkun Olam

  "Olam Chesed Yibaneh" (a world built on kindness)

  Various laws saying to put others before ourselves

  Social responsibility
• Why might selfishness be acceptable?
• Why is greed unacceptable?
• Why might greed be acceptable?
• Free will


  The belief that the human will is free and human beings can choose to act freely
• Determinism


  Every event has a cause and so means that free will may not exist as human being's choices and actions have a cause
• Predestination


  1. d has planned and stated that everything will happen in the future
• Do humans actually have free will?

  • God has pre planned everything

  Concept of reward and punishment

  Problem of evil (why would God allow evil to happen)
• How is there a concept of reward and punishment if there is freewill?
• How is evil linked to freewill?