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Chapter 9 Judaism: Beliefs and Teachings Part 1 (9.2 The nature of God:…
Chapter 9 Judaism: Beliefs and Teachings Part 1
9.2 The nature of God: God as creator
Jewish beliefs about creation
Torah begins with
"When God began to create heaven and earth"
God is the creator is established very early on
God created the universe from nothing
Genesis- it took 6 days to create the universe
Many orthodox and ultra-orthodox believe this is the literal truth and it happened about 6000 years ago
These Jews reject scientific theories
Others believe evolution to be correct but God made it happen- still believe God is creator
7th day God rested and made it a holy day- remembered by Jews (Shabbat) Sunset Friday to sunset Saturday
Helps them remember God's role and importance
Evil and Freewill
In order for God to have the ability and power to create the universe he must have characteristics no other being has
Jews believe God is...
Omnipotent
Omnipresent
Omniscient
God was the creator of everything even evil- gave people freewill to choose what they know is right and to reject evil
Evil must exist so that people can choose to do good
God the sustainer
God not only created the universe but sustains it
God provided sufficient resources to feed and provide for all species
Unequal distribution of resources is a consequence of freewill
If you help provide resources to those who have too little you are helping fulfil God's plan
9.3 The nature of God: God as lawgiver and judge; the divine presence
God as lawgiver
God gave Jews laws- foundation of these laws is the 10 commandments
10 commandments were given to Moses when he rescued the slaves from Egypt
Originally inscribed on two tablets of stone- still very important today
Torah contain 613 laws- tell people how to behave- called the mitvot
Form the basis of the Halakhah, accepted code of conduct for Jewish life
If you obey them you are fulfilling God's will on earth
Purpose of God being a lawgiver is to set the basis of his relationship with people
God as Judge
God didn't give laws just to follow but to judge how well people follow them
God judges everyone based on actions, behaviours and beliefs
God's judgements are fair and always tempered by his loving merciful nature- justice and mercy are perfectly balanced
Two main times when judgement happens- once a year, Rosh Hashanah and after death
The Divine Presence (Shekinah)
Word Shekinah doesn't appear in the Tenakh, meaning is present in many passages
Many writings refer to the tabernacle- portable tent like structure that was an early dwelling place for the divine presence of God
The tabernacle was carried with Jews on their journey from Egypt to Canaan
Tanakh mentions that Jews were led on this journey by a pillar of fire or a cloud- could represent the Shekinah
Shekinah is seen as a sign of God's power and glory
When Canaan was conquered Tabernacle was replaced with Solomo's Temple, Jerusalem- several prophets reference the presence of God in the Temple
" I beheld my Lord seated on a high and lofty throne"
Isaiah
Some believe Shekinah is God's feminine presence as Shekinah is a feminine word
9.4 Life after death, judgement and resurrection
Jewish customs surrounding death
Due to God's plan death is an inevitable part of life
Taught that Jews should not die alone- the dying persons family should make every effort to visit and look after them
Considered to be a great kindness to be present at the time of death and close the dead persons eyes
Intense mourning follows a persons death especially whilst waiting for the burial, then 7 days after the burial
This is followed by 30 days of lesser mourning
Jewish beliefs about the afterlife
There is little teaching about life after death in Jewish holy books
This led to differences among Jews on what happens after death- some believe life after death will be a physical life and some believe it will be a spiritual life
Heaven and Sheol
Teachings imply that the good will enter a paradise (Gan Eden) and the rest will go to sheol
Sheol is a place of cleansing
Most Jews, that follow their faith properly will be judged good enough for heaven
Heaven is with God- unknown if it's a state of consciousness or an actual physical or spiritual place
Judgement and resurrection
Some believe they will be resurrected as soon as they die
Some believe God will judge everyone on the day of judgement after the coming of the Messiah- when God will decide who goes to heaven and hell
In Judaism, resurrection is the idea that at some point after death people will rise and live again.
"Many of those that sleep in the dust of the earth will awake"
Daniel
Many Jews reject the idea of the resurrection- no firm view on what happens after death
Many Jews believe instead of thinking about death they should focus on living in a way that is pleasing to God
9.5 The nature and role of the Messiah
Origin of the Messiah
12th Century- Rabbi Moses ben Maimon compiled the 'Thirteen Fundamental Principles of Jewish Faith' based on the Torah
12th principle is 'The belief in the arrival of the Messiah and the Messianic era'
Nature and role of the Messiah causes great debate among many
Messiah- anointed one- originally used to refer to the Kings of Israel
1st King was Saul
The Nature of the Messiah
Messiah refers to a future leader of the Jews- will rule during the Messianic age
No suggestion that Saul is connected to the coming Messiah
But the way God changed Saul is likely to apply
Expected to be the future King of Israel
Descendant of Kind David
Messianic age
Debate about what it will be like
Some think the dead will be resurrected and live in a time of peace is a restored Israel
"Nations shall not take up sword against nation"
Orthodox Jews
believe that in every generation there is a descendant of King David who has the potential to be the Messiah
He will rebuild the temple in Jerusalem and gather all Jews back to the land of Israel
They will uphold the law of the Torah and will be the ultimate teacher of it
He will usher in world peace and unite humanity
Reform Jews
reject the idea of the Messiah
They believe everyone should work together to achieve peace but do believe in Messianic age
Jews don't believe Jesus was the Messiah as he didn't fulfil the expectations and he didn't establish the Messianic age
The belief in the Messiah provides hope and comfort for those facing persecution
9.1 The nature of God: God as One
Concept and Nature of God
Judaism- Monotheistic
God has the major effect and influence on the world and their place in the world
Most basic principle in Judaism
God is the source of all Jewish morality, belief and values
God's overwhelming importance and significance is seen in his role as the creator
He sustains creation by caring for people and requiring loyalty in exchange
God is the true judge of how we follow the laws he gave us
Can see the work of God in history- study history to find out more about God
Tenakh- historical part is important for what it reveals about God
God is constantly at work
God or G-d
Use G-d as a sign of respect
When written in Hebrew his name can never be erased or destroyed
Hebrew letters of the name God are YHWH- never said out loud by Jews
When reading scriptures they substitute the word Adonai (My Lord)
Any book with his name in is treated with respect
Never destroyed or thrown away- when too old to use, stored in a special place in the synagogue before being properly buried in a Jewish cemetery
Some think it's okay to write God- referred to as a title not a name
God as one
Monotheism is a way of viewing the world and the contents of the world that God created
God is always present in people's lives- all experiences is a meeting with God
Idea of God being one is expressed in the first two versus is the shema
They must show loyalty and spiritual dedication to God
"Hear, O Israel! The Lord is our God, the Lord alone"
Deuteronomy