SOR Notes-Judaism

Torah- Oral Law:

There are actually 613 commandments covering every aspect of life
including law, and personal hygiene and diet.
The first five are positive- the relationships of people to G-d, the second
are negative- the relationship between people.
These commandments are divinely inspired and authoritative
instructions/guidance
Significance of Moses:
Developed the framework of Judaism and established parameters.
Father of all prophets that followed him
Saw G-d face to face
Transformed a group of fleeing slaves into priests and kept them in the
path of freedom of spirit and body
Moses encourages an image of G-d controlled nature rather than being a
part of it
E.g. The image of the burning bush- it was not consumed by fire
Moses embedded social law called the Mosaic Code. The essence of this
code is the ten commandments (there are really 613 mitzvoth)
The story of Moses leading people to freedom is told at the Passover.
The Passover- refers to the day when G-d passed over and the first born
sons of Jewish parents were saved from death (The angel of death passed
over the houses of the Jews who had marked their doors with blood from a
sacrificed lamb.)
This is the turning point, the identity of Israel as a nation was established
and freedom was possible.
Moses is the greatest Jew who ever lived but is not G-d
Moses was sent in a dual mission
- To get the Jews out of Egypt
- Bring the Jews to Sinai
The ten commandments represent the essence of Jewish law and there
principles are found in 613 specific requirements
The two tablets re-enforce the dual concern of Jewish law and Moses
Judaism Variants:
Orthodox: Original form of Judaism until the 1800s
Named Orthodox in reaction to the advent of Reform Judaism
Most Observant
Believe that both the Written Law (Torah) and the Oral Law (Torahs
traditional interpretation which became the Talmud) were divinely
revealed to Moses at Mount Sinai. They have been transmitted throughout
the ages. These laws are binding and cannot abolished.
Prayer services held primarily in Hebrew. During prayer, men are seated
separately from women. Men are required to pray in a minyan (quorum of
10 required for prayer).
The 613 mitzvoth (commandments) in the Torah are all equally obligatory.
Consequently, Orthodox Jews observe the Kosher dietary laws
Only Children of Jewish mothers are considered Jewish, Conversion is
accepted, but must be in accord with Orthodox law.
Prohibits intermarriage in any way.

 Conservative: The term conservative is meant to signify that Jews

should attempt to conserve Jewish tradition, rather than reform or
abandon it. It does not imply that the movements adherents are politically
conservative.
Fosters the practice of traditional Judaism while embracing modernity. It
comes midway between Orthodoxy and Reform
The conservative service follows the traditional liturgy and it is mainly in
Hebrew and similar to Orthodox services. However, men and women sit
together and women participate fully in the synagogue services, prayers
and rituals and be counted as part of the minyan.
Reform: The most flexible about observance of Jewish laws
Affirms the central tenets of Judaism- G-d, Torah and Israel- yet embraces
innovation while preserving tradition, while still recognising that the
sacred heritage has evolved and adapted over the centuries and must
continue to do so.
Accepts the Torah as divinely inspired but written in the language of the
time in which it was given. Views the Oral law as an evolving system in
which successive generations of rabbis discussed how to incorporate the
Torah into their lives. Feel freer than the Orthodox to modify or change the
Oral law. The 613 mitzvoth are subject to modern interpretation.
Holds prayer services in the native tongue. Allows women full equality in
religious matters. They may read from the Torah, become a Bat Mitzvah,
sit with the men during religious services and be counted as part of the
minyan and women rabbis may officiate.
Considers children of either Jewish mothers or fathers as Jewish as long as
they are raised Jewish. Requires male converts to undergo to ritual of
circumcision and immersion. Requires females to undergo immersion.
God is understood in three ways
- As the clan god of Abraham and his descendants
- As they city god of Jerusalem, the God of the Jews
As a Universal god the creator of the universe
The Great Shema is the statement that the Jews say each day.
- Deuteronomy 6:4 LISTEN ISRAEL, THE LORD IS GOD, THE LORD IS
ONE
Attributes:
- Transcendent
- Personal
- Omniscience
- Omnipresence
- Omnipotent
Names for God:
- Tetragrammaton(YHWH)
- El Elyon(God most high)
- El Shadda(God Almighty)
- El Olam(God everlasting)
- El Roi(God of seeing)
The concept of moral law prescribed by God (Their Ethics):
This divine moral law is embodied in the codes set out in the first five
books of the bible known as the Torah.
The codes in the Torah set out 613 commandments, which include those
well known as the Ten Commandments

The

The morality of Israel was a response to the action of Yahweh perceived in

historical events. It developed from life in action
Oral Tradition- Interpretation of the mitzvoth
Talmud- Rules and interpretations collected from the 5 th Century CE until
the present.
- Mishna- Writing down of the Oral Torah
- Gemara- commentaries of the Mishna

Work and lifestyle lead to holiness. For example:

- The need for justice is to be tempered by a merciful and forgiving
attitude
- Requires Jews to act with piety that is beyond the minimum
standard demanded of other people
- Jews should act in such a way as to establish Shalom, Peace and
well-being among all people
- All Jewish actions must be pervaded with rahmanut or compassiona merciful attitude that rules out cruelty.
The story of Moses on Mount Sinai is linked to the ritual of covenant
renewal.
Expresses the essence of Jewish moral law.
The covenant summarises all laws into a set of indicators
The maintenance of the Covenant means that Jews following the laws will
maintain Jewish tradition
importance of the Covenant for Jewish People:
The story of Moses at Mount Sinai is linked to the ritual of covenant
renewal
Expresses the essence of Jewish moral law
The covenant summarises its laws into a set of indicators
The maintenance of the covenant means that Jews following the laws will
maintain Jewish tradition
Genesis tells how God establishes a covenant with Abraham, which is to
be passed on to future generations. The first statement of this special
relationship appears in Chapter 12 of Genesis: And the lord said to
Abram, Go forth from your land and from your birthplace and from your
fathers house, to the lad that I will show you. And I will make you into a
great nation and I will bless you and I will make your name great and by
you all the families of the Earth shall bless themselves.
Throughout the generations, Jews have circumcised every male child at
the age of eight days (or later, if the baby is not well enough for the
procedure at eight days).
The Jewish ceremony of circumcision is known as a brit which is the
Hebrew word meaning covenant.
Immediately after the ceremony, all those present then say, Just as he
has entered into the covenant, so may he enter into the Torah, marriage
and good deeds.

I will be your God, you will be my people. Explain the significance of this
relationship for the Jewish people

Chosen people, the Jewish people, as expressed in the idea that they have been
chosen by God as his special people. The term implies that the Jewish people
have been chosen by God to worship only him and to fulfil the mission of
proclaiming his truth among all the nations of the world. The idea of the chosen
people has had a profound and lasting effect on the Jews because it imparted a
special significance to their relationship with God. It implied a covenant between
God and the people of Israel whereby Israel was to be faithful to God and obey
his commandments, and God in turn was to protect and bless his faithful people.
Being chosen, brought to Israel not only just privileges but rather, special
obligations to carry out the will of God: Obey my voice, and I will be your God,
and you shall be my people. Being Gods chosen people carried with it greater
spiritual responsibilities and implied more demanding standards and the
necessity to develop a spiritual strength worthy of those whom God had selected
to preserve and spread his revelation to all the world.
Sacred Text and Writings:
Judaisms sacred texts serve the same purpose as those of all religions.
They:
- Enable the community to unite around a given set of accepted rules
- Minimise the chance of doctrinal distortion
- Guarantee, as much as possible, the accuracy of the original laws
given by G_d and His prophets to humanity.
- Enable the community to preserve and pass on their religious
tradition from generation to generation
In Judaism, the sacred texts are considered to be:
- The direct words of G_d to man
- G_ds revelation to the founders and prophets
- A record of the forms of worship, laws, traditions and historical
development of the Jewish People
- Used in prayer, meditation and for inspiration
- Applied to issues today
- Used to formulate dogma, doctrines and creeds
- Used to inspire poetry, art music and drama
The Hebrew Scriptures- Tenach:
The Hebrew Bible known as the Ten a k is made up of 3 sections:
- Torah (T) Neviim (N) and Ketuvim (K)
The Torah is the first 5 books of the Tenach
- Genesis
- Exodus
- Leviticus
- Numbers
- Deuteronomy
However, the word Torah is used in several ways:
- Torah originally referred to an individual teaching communicated to
the people by a spokesperson of G_d
- Sometimes Torah is used to mean the whole Hebrew bible or Tenach
- Torah came to be used collectively for the entire teachings which, it
was believed, G_d had revealed through Moses to the Israelites at
Mount Sinai
- Torah can also be used to mean the entire body of Jewish religious
literature and teaching

Torah is usually translated by the word law, but way of life is more
appropriate- it includes matters of personal morality as well as
matters of criminal and civil law. It includes directions for the cult
and purification, instructions about what to eat and not to eat.
- The purpose was to show the people of Israel how to live as the
people pf G_d
2. Neviim
- Neviim, or prophets, contains the books of Joshua, Judges, Samuel,
Kings, Isaiah, Jeremiah, Ezekiel and the twelve later Prophets. These
books are partly historical, mainly prophetic and teach ethics and
morals to a people straying from G_ds ways
3. Ketuvim
- Ketuvim, or Writings, contain Davids Psalms, Solomons Proverbs,
the Five Megillot (Scrolls), the books of Ezra and Nehemiah and
Chronicles. Many of these books are historical, while most teach
G_ds way and the correct, ethical way to live

The Talmud
Collection of discussions and comments by Rabbis
Commentary on the Tenach, laws, customs and ethics
There are 2 talmudim:
- Babylonian Talmud- which is used today
- Jerusalem Talmud- which were written in Hebrew and Aramaic
between 200 and 500 BCE in Babylon and Palestine
The Talmud is the ultimate document of rabbinic thinking, combining the
Mishnah, which is a set of conclusions telling people what to do and
Gemara, which contains questioning and application.
The Talmud is the key text that defines Judaism
Ritual Use
The Torah and Talmud teach Jews how to carry out all the rituals of the
religion.
The Torah is used ritually every Shabbat, Monday and Thursday so that
Jews do not go for more than 3 days without hearing words from it. This
was decreed by Ezra c. 440 BCE.
The Torah is read in bar/bat Mitzvah ceremony
Talmud and Midrash are not used for rituals but teach how to carry our
rituals.
Directions for a Spiritual life
The Torah is the authority; it serves as a guideline for moral and ethical
behaviour. All Jewish law is contained in the Torah and following all these
laws create exemplary behaviour.
The keeping of Shabbat and Kashrut (Jewish laws for eating) place one in a
higher spiritual level.
In order to ensure that Jews know how to live their lives correctly, The
Talmud explains in great detail exactly how to carry out the laws
Solomons Proverbs and Davids Psalms teach ow to live a proper Jewish
life. They teach wisdom and give hope and inspiration. The stories of
Esther and Ruth inspire

The Jewish sacred texts give adherents something to believe in; they teach
how to treat others, and other peoples property. They create a spiritual
atmosphere and their stories bring people back to their spirituality.
The Principle Beliefs of Judaism:
The following areas are identified as principle beliefs of Judaism:
- The Oneness of God
- The Eternal nature of God
- The Omnipresence of God
- The Omnipotence of God
- The Essentially spiritual nature of God
- The Divinely inspired moral law
- The Covenant
God is one
- Deuteronomy 6:4-9
- Known as they Shema, taken from the Hebrew word for hear. It
begins with the imperative Hear O Israel the lord our God, the Lord
is one.
- Occurs in the context if a renewal of fidelity to the covenant.
- Reminder of the centrality of the notion of the monotheism of
Judaism
- Psalms 83:19 You alone are the lord, the most high over all the
Earth.
- Psalm praying for protection in the face of a hostile enemy
- Includes a statement which affirms the power of God in the face of
threats of idols

God is Eternal
- It was I who made the Earth and created mankind upon it. It was
My hands that stretched out the heaves; I gave the order to all their
host (Isaiah 45:12)
- Affirms the role of God as creator
- Reminds the Jewish people of the Eternal character of God during a
time when they were suffering in exile
- The lord shall reign forever; your God, O Zion, through all
generations (Psalms 146:10)
- Expresses the belief that Gods reign Is Eternal
God is Omnipresent
- Even before a word is on my tongue, behold, O lord, you know the
whole of it (Psalms 139:4)
- God is portrayed as an ever present companion who knows every
element and every aspect of life.
- Notion of Gods design pervading the life of the Psalmist
- The call of Moses (Exodus 3:4-10)
- Encounter between God and Moses at Horeb
- Moses witnesses the phenomena of the burning bush
- Moses is called by God to liberate the Hebrew people living in
captivity in Egypt
God is omnipotence (All Powerful)
- The song of Moses, Exodus 15:1-18
- Immediately follows the parting of the Red Sea

God
-

The ability to manipulate nature is a classic sign of power

Confirmation of the awesome power of God
Your right hand, O lord magnificent in power, your right hand, O
lord, has shattered the enemy (Exodus 15:6)
Stories of creation (Genesis 1:1-2:7)
To bring creation into being is evidence of the remarkable power
Bears witness to the creative power of God
Creation coming into being at the word of God
Then God said, let there be light and there was light (Genesis
1:3)
Gods breath is the life giving force
us pure of spirit
God is pure spirit and therefore has no physical form
Anthropomorphisms are common but not to be interpreted in a
literal sense
Symbolic or figurative statements expressing the activity of God
The belief that God is pure spirit is not stated explicitly in texts from
the Tenach
Understood implicitly through reflecting on the meaning of some
key texts
Image of a time before creation where God dwelt over a formless
void.
You shall not carve idols for yourself in the shape of anything in the
sky above or on the Earth below or in the waters beneath the Earth
(Exodus 20:4)
Prohibition is to prevent the people of Israel from abandoning their
monotheistic beliefs and adopting the beliefs in other Gods
Also emphasises that images of created thing cannot be used to
represent God
Any attempt at a representation of God is false and thus regarded
as idolatry

The Moral Law

- God has set down a way of living which is life giving and sustaining
- The moral law set down in the Torah
- It is something very near to you, already in your mouths and in
your hearts; you only have to carry it out (Deuteronomy 30:14)
- The moral law is strongly expressed in the Neviim
- Strong emphasis on moral action reflecting justice towards one
another
- Judaism has a strong emphasis on providing for the needs of the
most vulnerable in the community
The Covenant
- Covenant is fundamental for understanding Judaism
- The requirements of the Covenant are expressed through the texts
in the Tenach
- The covenant also includes the promise of the land
- Promises of descendants and the land

Abraham is required to walk in the presence of God be blameless

(Genesis 17:1)
Circumcision is to be the sign of the covenant between God and the
people of Israel
Giving the Torah to Moses at Sinai
The covenant governs and regulates all aspects of Jewish life
Principles set down in the Ten Commandments
Total of 613 Mitzvoth expressed in the Torah
These are supported by the Oral Torah
Provides a clear and precise explanation of the requirements of
keeping the Covenant