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June 2021

Q1.1: Which one of the following is a Jewish belief about life after death?

Put a tick () in the box next to the correct answer. A Creation B Mitzvot C Resurrection D Shekhinah

Answer:

beliefs, practices and sources of authority. Answer: C: Resurrection

Q1.2: Give two ways in which Jews can help in ‘healing the world’.

Answer:

beliefs, practices and sources of authority. considered for marking. Take part in campaigns for the environment / against social injustices / unfair political systems / recycle / plant trees (Tu B’Shevat) / energy efficient bulbs / solar panels / sabbatical year for fields / protest against climate change / reduce carbon footprint / promote and join Jewish organisations eg Tzedek who work for social justice globally / support GIFT / food parcels / education sessions / fundraising / have a job which fights for justice / or which is within a charitable organisation / volunteer charity work to help the poor / become a doctor / give to charity / sponsorship / many Jewish homes have pushke charity boxes to encourage children to give to those less fortunate / become closer to God spiritually through prayer / obeying mitzvot, etc.

Q1.3: Explain two ways in which the Covenant with Moses at Sinai influences Jews today.

Answer:

communities and societies. To be a 'detailed explanation' the ‘influence’ of the way must be included. • God revealed to Moses the 613 commandments that Jews are expected to follow, including the Ten Commandments / belief that Jews have God’s protection if they follow God’s rules as the chosen people of God / Jews are expected to learn and do God’s will to show that they are observing the faith / ‘All that the Eternal has spoken, we will do’ (Exodus 19:8). • Some Jews believe that God gave Moses the Oral Torah, Mishnah, to help Jews understand how to obey the Written Torah / use of Ten Commandments as a guide on how to live as a peaceful society / commandments demand standards of behaviour from Jews about how they treat others and conduct themselves in society / shows Jews how to live an ethical life, ‘Do not steal’ ‘Do not murder’ ‘Do not commit adultery’ ‘Do not lie’ etc. • Mosaic covenant gives Jews their identity / observing the Sabbath Day makes them different from other faiths / they have been chosen by God to follow these rules / through obedience to the rules they can become holy / ‘You must observe my Sabbaths. This will be a sign between me and you for the generations to come, so you may know that I am the Lord, who makes you holy.’ (Exodus • Covenant at Sinai re-affirmed that God had made Jews his chosen people / influencing Jews to dedicate their lives to God / to create a good and just society / work for social justice and equality • Some Reform Jews believe the commands of the covenant were written by humans reflecting their understanding of God / some of the 613 mitzvot are no longer appropriate in modern times. • Some Orthodox Jews believe every command is the direct will of God so must be obeyed, etc. NB Where students explain the influence of two specific commandments they can be credited for each.

Q1.4: Explain two Jewish beliefs about God as Creator.

In your answer, refer to sacred writings or another source of Jewish belief and teaching.

Answer:

beliefs, practices and sources of authority. Relevant and accurate reference to sacred writing or another source of Jewish belief and teaching – 1 mark • Jews believe God created the world out of nothing (ex nihilo) / and everything in it, in six days / everything God created was good / its goodness shows God’s benevolence. • Orthodox Jews believe literally in the six days of creation, showing God’s omnipotence / other Jews accept evolution and Big Bang, but believe that God started these events so is the ultimate • God’s creation of sun, moon and stars on day four / points to his omnipotence as creator of the • God created woman as a companion for man / points to God’s design in the creation of the • Jews believe God rested on the seventh day / Shabbat reminds Jews of the role God had in • Jews believe the pinnacle of creation was God creating humans in his image / humans were created for a purpose / God created everything for humans’ survival / natural resources should not be abused / belief that God created humans to take care of his creation / healing the world is a human duty to respect God’s creation – tikkun olam / encourages Jews to take care of the environment / respect animals who are also God’s creation / belief that all humans are equal. • Belief in the oneness of God comes through creation / sole creator, etc.

Sources of authority may include the following:

Genesis 1:1 ‘In the beginning God created the heavens and earth.’ Genesis 1:26 ‘created in our image.’ Genesis 1:29 ‘I have given you every seed-bearing plant on the face of all the earth, and every tree whose fruit contains seed. They will be yours for food.’ Genesis 1:31 ‘and God saw everything that he had made and behold it was very good.’ Genesis 2:7 ‘formed man out of the dust of the ground.’ Genesis 2:15 ‘The Lord God took the man and put him in the Garden of Eden to work it and keep it.’ Isaiah 45 6-7 ‘I am the Lord and there is none else, I form light and create darkness.’

Q1.5: ‘The coming of the Messiah is an important belief for Jews today.’

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

• Importance of the Messiah for Jews is illustrated in Maimonides 12th Principle – ‘Belief in the arrival of the Messiah and the Messianic Era.’ 13 Principles included in many Jewish prayer books / Orthodox Jews believe it is important to pray for the coming Messiah. • Belief in the Messiah offered comfort and strength to victims of the Holocaust / when facing death some Jews chanted, ‘I believe with perfect faith in the coming of the Messiah.’ (Maimonides). • Belief in the Messiah is important for some Jews as they believe the Tenakh foretells a physical Messiah / it is a reference to the kings of Israel / Samuel anointed David to show he was chosen by God / every generation from King David has the potential to be the Messiah, ‘The days are coming, declares the Lord, when I will raise up for David a righteous branch, a king who will reign wisely’ (Jeremiah 23:5) / will rule the Jews in the Messianic Age / will return Jews to Israel / rebuild Temple / bring peace on earth ‘nation shall not lift up a sword against nation, neither shall they learn war anymore.’ (Micah 4:3) / ‘The wolf also shall dwell with the lamb, and the leopard shall lie down with the kid;’ (Isaiah 11:6 6). • The belief in the coming of the Messiah strengthens Jewish identity / role of the Messiah in returning Jewish people to their Promised Land should give all Jews hope of fulfilling all the 613 mitzvot / unifies Jews after devastation of the Holocaust. • Most Jews agree that the Messiah will live on earth / will be a great political leader / will uphold the law of the Torah / will be a kind and just ruler / the dead will be resurrected / the Messiah will unite all of humanity / this gives Jews hope for a better future and the completion God’s purpose for creation / during Pesach a toast is made, ‘Next year in Jerusalem’, etc.

Arguments in support of other views

• Times have changed, different interpretations of the Tenakh mean some Jews do not believe in a physical, human Messiah who will live on earth. • Reform Jews do not believe that the dead will be resurrected or that the world will come to an end, so the coming of the Messiah is not important. • The Temple will not be physically rebuilt / it is a metaphor for a world that follows God and his • Some Jews believe it is up to them, and not the Messiah, to work to bring peace and justice on earth by following the mitzvot / they do not believe they should wait for one person to come and bring peace / this is more beneficial to the here and now / all Jews need to work together, as a collective by following religious laws to bring about the Messianic Age / this is more important than waiting for someone to come and do this in the future / Reform siddur prayers are said for redemption, not for a redeemer, etc.