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June 2024

Q1.1: Which one of the following describes God’s role in making the Earth?

Put a tick () in the box next to the correct answer. A Creator B Judge C Law-Giver D Merciful

Answer:

beliefs, practices and sources of authority. Answer: A: Creator

Q1.2: Give two ways in which Jews follow the key moral principle of justice.

Answer:

beliefs, practices and sources of authority. considered for marking. Volunteer to help those who are poor / tzedakah / giving to charity, eg by regular donations, sponsorships etc / promote and join Jewish organisations eg Jews United for Justice / Tzedek who work for social justice globally / punish fairly / have a job that fights for justice / or is within a charitable organisation / help to end conflicts / petitions / peacemakers / regain rights for victims of conflict / campaign for peace / protest against injustices, unfair political systems / take part in a just war / by following the law / obeying the Ten Commandments / being honest, etc.

Q1.3: Explain two ways in which belief in God’s covenant with Abraham influences Jews

today.

Question 1 continues on the next page

Answer:

individuals, communities and societies. To be a ‘detailed explanation’ the ‘influence’ of the way must be included. • Jews will only worship one God / monotheism / ‘I am God Almighty; walk before me, and be blameless.’ (Genesis 17:1) observance of mitzvot to ensure ritual purity. • The Promised Land influences Jews to regard Israel as their homeland / the Pesach toast of ‘next year in Jerusalem’. • The promise of descendants to Abraham / the Jews see him as their spiritual father / his trust in God’s promises against all the odds encourages Jews to trust in God’s faithfulness. • Abraham as a source of blessing to humanity / a reminder to Jews that being God’s Chosen people is a responsibility rather than a privilege / they are called to make the world a better place / influences Jews to do good deeds. • Requirement that Abraham and his household be circumcised / as a sign of the covenant / ceremony of Brit Milah, etc.

Q1.4: Explain two Jewish beliefs about the divine presence (Shekhinah).

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 • Shekhinah is the Jewish belief that refers to God’s presence on earth / means ‘God’s manifested glory’ or ‘God’s divine presence’ / the tabernacle referred to as an early dwelling place for God / God was present in the Garden of Eden / during the Exodus Jewish scriptures state they were led by a pillar of fire or a cloud, possible manifestations of the Shekhinah / God’s presence guided Moses through the wilderness to the Promised Land. • Shekhinah seen as a sign of the power and glory of God / God’s presence among his people / God is active within the world. • Some of the prophets made reference to the presence of God in Solomon’s Temple in Jerusalem which replaced the tabernacle / dwelling in the Holy of Holies in the Temple in Jerusalem / Shekhinah is a dwelling or settling of divine presence. • Some Orthodox Jews believe God’s presence can be felt when praying at the Western Wall. • Some Reform Jews believe Shekhinah refers to the feminine presence of God being loving and caring / in Hebrew Shekhinah is a feminine word, etc.

Sources of authority might include:

Genesis 3:8 “Then the man and his wife heard the sound of the Lord God as he was walking in the garden in the cool of the day, and they hid from the Lord God among the trees of the garden.” Exodus 13:21 “By day the Lord went ahead of them in a pillar of cloud to guide them on their way and by night in a pillar of fire to give them light, so that they could travel by day or night.” Exodus 25:8 “Then have them make a sanctuary for me, and I will dwell among them.” Exodus 33:14 “The Lord replied, “My Presence will go with you, and I will give you rest”.” Exodus 40:35 “Moses could not enter the tent of meeting because the cloud had settled on it, and the glory of the Lord filled the tabernacle.” Leviticus 10:2 “So fire came out from the presence of the Lord and consumed them…” Ezekiel 43:2 “The earth shone with His glory.” Talmud Berachot 6a “The Shekhinah dwells over the headside of the sick man’s bed.” Mishnah Avot 3:3 “When two sit together and words of Torah pass between them, the Shekhinah dwells between them.” Accept all other sources of authority that correctly support the beliefs given.

Q1.5: ‘For Jews, it is important to obey all 613 mitzvot.’

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.

Arguments in support

• There are 613 mitzvot for Jews to follow / God commands Jews to follow all of the mitzvot / God has clear expectations of the Jews / why would God make so many rules if Jews were not supposed to • The Torah states that all the mitzvot are equally sacred and binding / Torah is believed to be the Wo of God so Jews have to obey the mitzvot contained in it / Torah mitzvot are God given and part of th Covenant with Moses / God would be God of the Jews and protect them if they obeyed his laws in • Adam and Eve showed the consequences of disobeying God’s Commands / Genesis 3 teaches Jew that God has allowed them the free will to choose how to live their lives / following the mitzvot carefu makes it impossible to disobey God / to find favour with God on the Day of Judgement, Jews must obey all the mitzvot / Torah teaches that God has given Jews a choice as to whether they keep the 613 mitzvot or not but the consequences of the wrong choice are clear / “I have set before you life a death, blessings and curses. Now choose life, so that you and your children may live.” (Deuteronom • Obeying all of God’s laws is a core part of Jewish identity / mitzvot instruct Jews on issues of worsh and festivals / family matters / maintaining an orderly society / morality / Orthodox Jews would argue this is the case / Jews are expected to be an example to other nations as God’s Chosen People / obeying all mitzvot helps Jews to strengthen their bond with God / 248 positive mitzvot (mitzvot aseh thought to correspond to the number of bones and organs in the human body / 365 negative Mitzvo (Mitzvot Lo Ta’aseh) or things you should not do / number corresponds to the number of days in a

Arguments in support of other views

• 613 could be seen as too many / free will allows different groups of Jews the choice of which 613 mitzvot they follow / Jews can no longer follow all of the mitzvot because the Temple no longer exis women are exempt from time bound mitzvot / some can only be obeyed in Israel, etc. • Jews have free will to choose not to obey mitzvot if a life is in danger / “Everything is foreseen, yet freedom is given to choose.” (Pirkei Avot 3:19, the Talmud) / Pikuach Nefesh / saving a life is more important than any other mitzvot except murder, idolatry and adultery. • Many mitzvot are considered old fashioned and dated / the law was written thousands of years ago, and society has moved on / different Rabbinical interpretations of the mitzvot make it difficult to follo them all / some Reform and Liberal Jews do not necessarily follow mitzvot on clothing / Shabbat / • God believed to be merciful and just / God’s judgement will take into account other actions, “Turn fro evil and do good; seek peace and pursue it.” (Psalm 34:14) / some may believe focus on key moral principles to be more important / taking care of the planet / etc.