Judaism

• Monotheistic religion
• Tenakh- the main sacred Jewish text
• Torah- law, teachings aand contains the mittzvot
• Nevi'im- prophets 
• Ketuvim- writings (psalms, proverbs
• Talmud- collection of teachings
• Mishnah- explains how the mitzvot should be applied
• Gemara- discusses mishnah

Branches of Judaism 

• Orthodox- Torah is strictly followed, very struct on shabbat and dietary laws
• Progressive- Torah is interpreted, dietary laws adapted to modern day
  • Reform- men and women equal
  • Liberal- More radical than Reform
    • Following the mitzvot is a matter of choice 

• Shekinah
  • Gods presence on earth 
  • Used to describe Gods presence in the tabernacle and temple the Jews built in Jerusalem
  • Present in prayer
  • Feminine side of God
  • Helps Jews understand suffering (God is with them) 

Covenants 

• A covenant is a promise made between God and his people
• God made a covenant with the Jews that defines them as the chosen people

Abraham 

• Told to go to Canaan (the promised land) 
• Promised him and his wife Sarah a child and to protect them and their descendents 
• In return, the Israelites were to respect God
• God asked that all males over 8 days to be circumcised as a physical sign 

Moses

• Led Jews to freedom in Canaan after they had been slaves in Egypt for 400 years
• Covenant made on mount Sinai
• God gave Moses the Torah which included the 10 commandments

Mitzvot

• Jewish laws
• 613
  • 248 positive- aseh
  • 365 negative- ta'aseh
• Ritual mitzvot- avoid offending God
• Moral mitzvot- Jews with other people

10 commandments

1. One God

2. No idols

3. Name in vain

4. Sabbath laws

5. Honour mother and father

6. No murder

7. No adultery

8. No stealing

9. Dont lie

10. No jealously

• Jews believe in free will- God will judge our actions

Key beliefs

• Pikuach Nefesh- saving a life
• People are the earths custodians
  • Tikkun olam
• Justice, charity, kindness

Afterlife

• Torah focuses more on life on earth 
• Tenakh talks about sheol
• Gan Eden
  • 'heaven'
  • Closeness to God
  • Only if youve had a blameless life
• Most souls go to Gehinham
  • before place of punishment and purification
• Olam ha-ba- Used to refer to the afterlife and messianic age
• Many Jews believe eventually they will be physically resurrected

Messiah

• A messiah will bring peace to earth
• An era of perfect peace 'the messianic age'
• Jesus is not the messiah
• Will be male, human, spread the word of God, reunite Jews…