Judaism
Beliefs
The Nature of God
GOD AS ONE
Give two Jewish beliefs about God as one (2)
• God created the world alone
• We should only worship one God, and not make other idols
GOD AS CREATOR
Explain two ways in which belief that God created the world might influence Jews in their
lives (4)
• As God created the world it is sacred, a gift to us from him. Jews will look after the
environment, preserving it, for example by not exploiting natural resources
• God created mankind ‘in his own image’ and Gave humans dominion over the earth
to ‘rule over the fish in the sea and the birds in the sky’- have their responsibility to
act as stewards of the whole natural world including animals. Human life is especially
holy so murder, euthanasia and suicide is wrong.
Explain two teachings about God as creator. (5)
• God created the world ex-nihilo, from nothing, by himself. He commanded features
into existence. Genesis 1 says ‘ G-d said, “Let there be light,” and there was light”. He
created it alone.
• Gos loves his creation. The world exists because God willed it to exist, and it
continues to exist because of God’s will. He describes it as ‘good’ in Genesis 1,
meaning it had moral perfection initially, he was pleased with it.
GOD AS LAW GIVER,JUDGE. LOVING AND MERCIFUL
Explain two ways in which belief in God as law giver influences Jews in their lives (4)
• The laws must be obeyed as they were given by God so for example they won’t
misuse God’s name, murder or steal, three of the Ten Commandments.
• As god gave the laws, he judges whether we keep them correctly. Failing to show
obedience of his mitzvot will have consequences unless we ask for his forgiveness.
Explain two ways in which God as Judge influences Jews today (4)
• Jews follow the mitzvot, including the 10 commandments he gave, as he judges
based on these. God will reward the righteous and obedient and punish those who
do not follow his teachings.
, • Jews are encouraged to be forgiving and not quick to judge others. Despite being a
judge, god is also loving and merciful, so if they want to receive his forgiveness they
should not hold grudges.
The divine presence (shekhinah)
Identify two ways in which Jews might identify the Shekhinah (2)
• Wear a kippah over their head to acknowledge that they are in God’s presence
• When the Ark in the Synagogue is opened everyone stands to show respect
• Two candles are lit in the home during Shabbat, the woman beckons with her hands
welcoming the Shekhinah.
Explain two Jewish beliefs about the Shekhinah. Refer to a teaching (5)
• The Talmud says ‘cover your head so that the fear of heaven may be upon you’. Jews
wear kippot all the time to acknowledge that they are constantly in God’s presence.
He watches them and judges their actions.
• The Shekhinah is present everywhere, however Jews feel it is particularly present at
the Western Wall in Israel, so many visit if from around the world
• In Exodus 40, Moses met with God in the tent of meeting and a pillar of fire hovered
above the tent, a symbol of his divine presence.
Death
Give two Jewish beliefs about life after death. (2)
• resurrection of the dead is a key belief in traditional Judaism, though the Torah does
not explicitly discuss it. During the Messianic age righteous souls will be resurrected
and the Messiah will bring peace.
• the soul is purified/cleansed in Gehenna or may go straight to Gan Eden which is
where the soul will be reunited with its ancestors (an Earthly paradise described in
Genesis 2)
• Sheol - described as a dark shadowy place where the righteous and unrighteousness
will go before being resurrected
• God will judge the soul to decide where it will go- many Jews believe the soul is
immortal. Olam Ha-Ba is the world to come
• (other Jews do not believe that the afterlife is an important belief - Judaism focuses
on life in this world, not the next)
Explain two ways in which Jews beliefs about life after death influences Jews today (4)
• God judges on the basis of Jewish actions in olam hazeh and rewards and punishes
accordingly- live properly now by performing mitzvot, following Torah and repairing
the world to be rewarded after death
Beliefs
The Nature of God
GOD AS ONE
Give two Jewish beliefs about God as one (2)
• God created the world alone
• We should only worship one God, and not make other idols
GOD AS CREATOR
Explain two ways in which belief that God created the world might influence Jews in their
lives (4)
• As God created the world it is sacred, a gift to us from him. Jews will look after the
environment, preserving it, for example by not exploiting natural resources
• God created mankind ‘in his own image’ and Gave humans dominion over the earth
to ‘rule over the fish in the sea and the birds in the sky’- have their responsibility to
act as stewards of the whole natural world including animals. Human life is especially
holy so murder, euthanasia and suicide is wrong.
Explain two teachings about God as creator. (5)
• God created the world ex-nihilo, from nothing, by himself. He commanded features
into existence. Genesis 1 says ‘ G-d said, “Let there be light,” and there was light”. He
created it alone.
• Gos loves his creation. The world exists because God willed it to exist, and it
continues to exist because of God’s will. He describes it as ‘good’ in Genesis 1,
meaning it had moral perfection initially, he was pleased with it.
GOD AS LAW GIVER,JUDGE. LOVING AND MERCIFUL
Explain two ways in which belief in God as law giver influences Jews in their lives (4)
• The laws must be obeyed as they were given by God so for example they won’t
misuse God’s name, murder or steal, three of the Ten Commandments.
• As god gave the laws, he judges whether we keep them correctly. Failing to show
obedience of his mitzvot will have consequences unless we ask for his forgiveness.
Explain two ways in which God as Judge influences Jews today (4)
• Jews follow the mitzvot, including the 10 commandments he gave, as he judges
based on these. God will reward the righteous and obedient and punish those who
do not follow his teachings.
, • Jews are encouraged to be forgiving and not quick to judge others. Despite being a
judge, god is also loving and merciful, so if they want to receive his forgiveness they
should not hold grudges.
The divine presence (shekhinah)
Identify two ways in which Jews might identify the Shekhinah (2)
• Wear a kippah over their head to acknowledge that they are in God’s presence
• When the Ark in the Synagogue is opened everyone stands to show respect
• Two candles are lit in the home during Shabbat, the woman beckons with her hands
welcoming the Shekhinah.
Explain two Jewish beliefs about the Shekhinah. Refer to a teaching (5)
• The Talmud says ‘cover your head so that the fear of heaven may be upon you’. Jews
wear kippot all the time to acknowledge that they are constantly in God’s presence.
He watches them and judges their actions.
• The Shekhinah is present everywhere, however Jews feel it is particularly present at
the Western Wall in Israel, so many visit if from around the world
• In Exodus 40, Moses met with God in the tent of meeting and a pillar of fire hovered
above the tent, a symbol of his divine presence.
Death
Give two Jewish beliefs about life after death. (2)
• resurrection of the dead is a key belief in traditional Judaism, though the Torah does
not explicitly discuss it. During the Messianic age righteous souls will be resurrected
and the Messiah will bring peace.
• the soul is purified/cleansed in Gehenna or may go straight to Gan Eden which is
where the soul will be reunited with its ancestors (an Earthly paradise described in
Genesis 2)
• Sheol - described as a dark shadowy place where the righteous and unrighteousness
will go before being resurrected
• God will judge the soul to decide where it will go- many Jews believe the soul is
immortal. Olam Ha-Ba is the world to come
• (other Jews do not believe that the afterlife is an important belief - Judaism focuses
on life in this world, not the next)
Explain two ways in which Jews beliefs about life after death influences Jews today (4)
• God judges on the basis of Jewish actions in olam hazeh and rewards and punishes
accordingly- live properly now by performing mitzvot, following Torah and repairing
the world to be rewarded after death
