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June 2023

Q1.1: Which one of the following was given by God to Moses on Mount Sinai?

Put a tick () in the box next to the correct answer. A Amidah prayer B Ark of the Covenant C Messiah D Ten Commandments

Answer:

beliefs, practices and sources of authority. Answer: D: Ten Commandments

Q1.2: Give two reasons why Jewish people believe that God is One.

Answer:

beliefs, practices and sources of authority. Taught this is true / Shema / God sustains the universe/ the 10 Commandments / Hear O Israel the Lord is our God, the Lord is One / Isaiah 45:6 – I am the Lord and there is no other / Exodus 3:14 – I am that I am / covenant with Abraham (Genesis 12:1–3) / Moses and the burning bush / Moses on Sinai / God is omnipotent as He created the world (Genesis), so can only be One God, by definition

Q1.3: Explain two ways in which belief in the divine presence (Shekhinah) influences

Jews today.

Answer:

influence on individuals, communities and societies. To be a ‘detailed explanation’ the ‘influence’ of the way must be included. • Shekhinah is divine presence of God / belief that whilst God cannot be seen, God’s presence can be felt / so this might make a Jew feel comforted / confirm their faith. • May influence belief that whatever hardships a Jew faces, God’s presence is still with them. • Encourages belief that presence will return to God’s chosen people / when the Messianic Age is established on earth. • Evidence of God’s presence in Tenakh / eg Ezekiel says ‘the earth shone with His glory’ / Exodus describes the flight of the Israelites from Egypt led by a ‘pillar of cloud by day and fire by night’ / encourages belief that Shekhinah aids the Jews. • As the Tabernacle held the presence of God, so Aron ha-Kodesh (Ark of the Covenant) may be felt to do that / giving it greater authority / which is shown in behaviour near to the Ark or within • Ner Tamid is everlasting flame representing God / may influence thoughts that God is present at worship / so worship is more focused. • Shekhinah considered present at any minyan / hence encourages worship as a minyan. • Shekhinah dwells with any person when studying the scripture / so encourages religious study • As word Shekhinah is feminine / women have been encouraged to explore its meaning or significance in their own lives, etc.

Q1.4: Explain two teachings about the mitzvot between man and God.

Refer to sacred writings or another source of Jewish belief and teaching in your answer.

Answer:

beliefs, practices and sources of authority. Relevant and accurate reference to sacred writing or another source of Jewish belief and teaching – 1 mark • Mitzvot are commandments / laws to be kept by the Jews / as part of their covenant with God / given to Moses / found in Torah. • Mitzvot between man and God are a way of communicating with God / by keeping them a person reaches out to God. • By following the mitzvot, a person ‘walks in the way of God’ / God is pleased / Deuteronomy 11:26 – Behold, I have set before you the blessing (of observing the commandments) and the curse (the potential punishment for failing to observe the mitzvoth) – therefore, choose life! • Six constant mitzvot – know there is a God, not believe in other gods, God is One, Love God, fear God, not be misled by heart and eyes / these must always be kept / are eternal. • Over a third of the mitzvot are about beliefs, rituals, prayer, worship, temple / and are directly about God / require belief and obedience. • Mitzvot between God and man might not be obvious to follow / eg some dietary laws / however, they show obedience to God / acceptance of God’s wishes / regardless if understandable or not,

Q1.5: ‘For Jews, the most important covenant is the one made with Abraham.’

Evaluate this statement. In your answer you should: • refer to Jewish teaching • give reasoned arguments to support this statement • give reasoned arguments to support a different point of view • reach a justified conclusion.

[SPaG 3 marks]

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Answer:

In your answer you should: • give reasoned arguments to support this statement • give reasoned arguments to support a different point of view [SPaG 3 marks] understanding of relevant evidence and information. References to religion applied to the issue. relevant evidence and information. Clear reference to religion. evidence and information. evidence and arguments must be credited.

Arguments in support

• This covenant meant the Jews would believe in One God / basis for whole faith / including all practices (which are based on beliefs). • Abraham seen as father of faith / suggests this covenant came as original form of Judaism / I am going to bless you, and through you bring a blessing to the world – Genesis 12:1–3. • Mark of the covenant – circumcision / still practised in Judaism today / all converted males have to be circumcised. • This was the beginning of the idea of a Promised Land / still relevant as Israel is the only Jewish state in the world / desire from all Jews to ‘return to Israel’ – whether temporary or permanently / shows the importance of the Promised Land even today etc.

Arguments in support of other views

• There are many other covenants / eg covenant with Noah / so how can we say one is the most • Covenant with Moses at Sinai / gave laws to Jews / allows them to show obedience to God / Many Orthodox (especially strictly Orthodox) have the attitude that the law is all. • Covenant with Moses followed release of whole Israelite nation and was with whole nation / Abrahamic covenant was with Abraham and family and descendants / binding on fewer people. • Symbol of covenant with Moses – Ten Commandments / displayed prominently in every synagogue / shows importance of law and that covenant. • Covenant may be understood in personal terms / eg the covenant with one’s spouse at marriage,