FoxChild@Learn
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June 2023
Q1.1: Which one of the following is the term for the divine presence of God?
Put a tick () in the box next to the correct answer. A Mitzvot B Pikuach Nefesh C Shekhinah D Talmud
Answer:
beliefs, practices and sources of authority. Answer: C Shekhinah
Q1.2: Give the names of two men with whom Jews believe God made covenants.
Answer:
beliefs, practices and sources of authority. considered for marking. Abraham / Moses / Adam / Noah / David / Aaron.
Q1.3: Explain two ways in which belief in charity influences Jews today.
Answer:
influence on individuals, communities and societies. To be a ‘detailed explanation’ the ‘influence’ of the way must be included. • Tzedek means righteousness or justice / and tzedakah means charity / Rabbi Jonathan Sachs has said it has two elements – charity and justice / through charity, we bring greater justice to the world / Rabbi Sachs – “tzedakah in one word has the power to change the world” / tzedakah is a mitzvah and therefore not optional / so a Jew might have a job which fights for justice / or which is within a charitable organisation. • God has gifted wealth as a loan / test of responsible use / share wealth with those in need / so will give to charity, eg by regular donations, sponsorship etc. • ‘If your enemy is hungry, give him food to eat; if he is thirsty, give him water to drink’ – Proverbs 25:21 / ‘Let justice roll down as a river, and righteousness as a mighty stream’ Amos 5:24 / ie help anyone in need / this will also reduce idea of ‘enemy’ in the psyche / can encourage greater attempts to heal divisions and bring harmony. • ‘Love your neighbour’ – Leviticus 19:9-18 / whole passage explains need to allow for gleanings in farming / restates commandments which are about people / pay appropriate wages / protects disabled / suggests to help those in need, whoever they are / charity inbuilt into Jewish law / so might consider charitable work as a duty. • In Reform Judaism, many families do some ‘kind deeds’ on Shabbat / not seen as work, rather as charity hence not breaking mitzvot. • Many Jewish families have tzedakah boxes in their home / to save for charitable causes. • Examples of influence may include volunteering at a food bank / providing clothes for homeless people / offering a room to a refugee etc.
Q1.4: Explain two Jewish beliefs about life after death.
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 • There are a variety of different beliefs about life after death in Judaism / the emphasis is on correct living now rather than the afterlife / there are few teachings about life after death in the Jewish holy books. • There is the idea that Jews re-join their ancestors. • There is the idea of Sheol / a dark shadowy place where the soul waits to be judged (is purified) • Many Jews believe in the world to come (Olam Haba) / some understand this to be a spiritual world / others understand this to be a place of great pleasure / it is a place where the righteous will live on with God. • Many non-Orthodox Jews believe in the idea of the immortality of the soul / soul is essence of God, so spiritual / hence cremation allowed. • Many Orthodox Jews believe in the idea of bodily resurrection at the end of time / hence burial is the norm / Maimonides 13 Principles of Faith – God will resurrect the dead. • There is the idea that God will judge / to decide whether a Jew might go on to Gan Eden / or Gehinnom / where souls are purified so that they may be allowed into Gan Eden / and that ‘The pious of all nations of the world will have a portion in the world to come’ (Maimonides). • Some Jews believe that the resurrection will happen in the Messianic Age / other Jews think resurrection will follow the Messianic Age / some believe that only the righteous will be resurrected / others think that righteous people of all faiths will be resurrected. • Belief in Gilgul amongst some Ashkenazi, Hasidic and Sephardi Jews – transmigration of souls / so that they can continue to do tikkun olam (healing the world) / Kabbalists believe each Jewish soul is reincarnated enough times in order to fulfil the 613 mitzvah / example of divine compassion / because God allows the soul to fulfil the mitzvot this way, etc.
Sources of authority might include:
Genesis 35:29 - ‘Then he breathed his last and died and was gathered to his people, old and full of years’ / Isaiah 26 describes how the dead will rise again / Job 10:10-22 -‘Turn away from me so that I can have a moment’s joy before I go to the place of no return, to the land of gloom and deep shadow, to the land of deepest night, of deep shadow and disorder where even the light is like darkness’ / Genesis 3:22 -‘The Lord God said, ‘The man has now become one of us, knowing good and evil. He must not be allowed to reach out his hand and take also from the tree of life and eat, and live forever.’ / Daniel 12:2-3 - ‘Multitudes who sleep in the dust of earth will awake: some to everlasting life, others to shame and everlasting contempt.’ / The Talmud states that fire is a sixtieth part of Gehinnom (Berakhot 57b:13) Allow reference to: Torah, Tanakh, Talmud, Midrash, liturgy, rabbinic teachings etc.
Q1.5: ‘For Jews, believing that God is Creator is the most important belief about God.’
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]
Extra space
Q2 Judaism: Practices
Answer:
In your answer you should: • give reasoned arguments to support this statement • give reasoned arguments to support a different point of view [Plus 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
• Without being the Creator, humans would not exist / humans rely on God’s creation for their needs / hence this is the most important quality for humans / Psalm 8, Psalm 104, Genesis 1, 2, 3, Psalm 139. • As Creator, God’s eternal nature, ie omnipotence and omniscience are showcased / and omnibenevolence / hence understanding this leads to greater understanding of God / which would not be so easy without the example of ‘Creator’ / ie this is a key to accept God’s actions. • God is continually involved in the creation / continually creating / hence this is the constant aspect of God / therefore this gives people the responsibility to look after the created world • Torah begins with the creation / puts the key role first. • Only God can create ex nihilo / so is a mark of the gap between the abilities of God and man / and of God’s unique power and intellect. • God rested on the seventh day of creation / giving Shabbat as a gift to humanity / Rosh Hashanah celebrates the creation of the world / Tu b’shevat celebrates the new year of trees etc.
Arguments in support of other views
• Depends what is meant by ‘most important’ – this means different things to different people dependent on their situation and needs / eg a Hasidic Jew might feel that God’s role as law-giver is most important / as obedience to the law is the route to pleasing God. • Whereas a person who has done wrong might think God’s role as merciful judge is most important / as they feel they need God’s forgiveness. • Jews believe in the oneness of God / this belief forms the foundation of Judaism (monotheism) / Deuteronomy 6: 4-5 / the Shema / Exodus 20:3 • Torah begins by saying God exists / eternal nature or pre-existence is most important as it comes first / cannot create without existing already / idea that God’s continued existence is necessary for the continued existence of all else, ie universe, humans / makes the role of constant sustainer • The just and merciful nature in God’s role as judge is the most important / humans will rely on both when the judgement comes / so these qualities are vital to a person’s future life / which is eternal, so worth more than this one. • God’s role as law-giver is the most important / obedience to the law is essential for many Jews / will bring the Messianic Age closer / ensures a good judgement in the afterlife. • Some may think that God as Sustainer is more important / God kept the Israelites alive in the wilderness / Jews thank God at every meal for food, etc. Q2 Judaism: Practices
Q2.1: Which one of the following events in life is associated with Brit Milah?
Put a tick () in the box next to the correct answer. A Birth B Coming of Age C Death D Marriage
Answer:
beliefs, practices and sources of authority. Answer: A Birth
Q2.2: Give two religious features of a synagogue.
Question 2 continues on the next page
Answer:
beliefs, practices and sources of authority. considered for marking. Aron Hakodesh (Ark) / Torah scrolls / Bimah (reading platform) / Ner Tamid (everlasting light) / Menorah (seven-branched candlestick) / pointer (yad) /Ten Commandments / Star of David (Magen David) /separate seating / gallery in Orthodox synagogues (mechitza)/ prayer books (siddurim) / organ in progressive synagogues / Mezuzah etc Do not credit anything worn in prayer e.g. tallit, kippah or people e.g. rabbi, cantor Accept descriptive language which is clearly about a religious feature, eg the platform where the Sefer Torah are read or actual name for the feature, Bimah.
Q2.3: Explain two contrasting ways in which Jews celebrate Rosh Hashanah.
Answer:
similarities and differences within and/or between religions and beliefs. Contrast may mean opposing or mean different views. If similar ways are given, only one of them may be credited up to 2 marks max. • Jews celebrate Rosh Hashanah joyfully as the birthday of the world and at the same time solemnly as Yom HaDin is the beginning of the Ten Days of Awe and Judgement / it remembers God’s creation of the world / and of human beings / Genesis 1:1- 2:3 is read in • Prayers are said in the (evening and morning) services in the synagogue / Jews chant “On Rosh Hashanah judgement is written and on Yom Kippur judgement is sealed”/ The Zochreinu prayer (remember us for our good, bring us your blessing and save us for a good life) is recited both in the evening and the morning Amidah / Avinu Malkenu is sung as congregation stands before the open Ark / Psalm 102 Barchi nafshi (bless God my soul) is sung / God is praised and acknowledged as King / First and second day Torah readings are Sarah’s complaint to God and the expulsion of Hagar and Ishmael (Genesis 21:1-21) and :the binding of Isaac (Genesis 22:1-19) and the summary of the laws as the people stand before God (Deuteronomy 29:9-14) / a Haftarah reading of Hannah a childless woman who turned to God (1 Samuel 1:1 – 2-10) and “Come all who are thirsty, come to the water…” • Sounding of the shofar (ram’s horn) [with a pattern of 12 blasts] / reminds Jews to mend their ways and return to God / the sound reminds them to pay attention to God / Yom Teruah – day of blasting. • Introduces Yamim Noraim – Days of Awe / all humanity stands before God to give a full account of their past year’s deeds / God opens the book of life / they will be judged / it is called Yom Ha-din – Day of Judgement / although judgement is not sealed until the end of Yom Kippur / they will be hoping to receive the promise of forgiveness from God / by committing to be a better person / Rosh Hashanah offers a chance to improve God’s judgement of them. • The first night of Rosh Hashanah may be spent in synagogue and/or study and reflection / so that God will give them another year of life / Rosh Hashanah looks to the future and how the year ahead will be / Jews focus on repentance and a promise to change to follow God’s mitzvot more closely. • Custom of tashlich – throwing of breadcrumbs into water / emptying of pockets / symbolises letting go of sins / in the hope God will forgive / ‘God will cast all of our sins into the depths of the sea’ - Micah 7:19. • Time for reconciliation ahead of the new year / just as each person is seeking to be reconciled with God following their own transgressions. • Many Jews pledge to donate to charities as part of the High Holy Day appeal in their synagogue or independently; they may make a commitment to do charitable work or other volunteering during the Ten Days and in the year ahead. • Many Jews share a festive family meal / round challah symbolises the cycle of the year / dip apples in honey for a sweet new year / some Jews put a fish head on the table at the celebratory meal / welcoming in the Jewish New Year with fish heads is a way to start off the year on the right and be the head rather than the tail / pomegranate seeds symbolise the mitzvot and good deeds to be done in the year ahead.
Q2.4: Explain two ways in which the Talmud is important for Jews.
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 • Talmud interprets Torah / is timeless, but difficult to interpret / Torah gives the law, but often not how to understand and fulfil it / eg Torah commands the wearing of tefillin, but the Talmud says how that is to be done. • The Talmud is split into two parts / the Mishnah explains how to apply the Commandments set out in the Torah / the Gemara consists of commentaries by later rabbis on the Mishnah in further detail to clarify the teachings in the Torah that might require more explanation. • Talmud extends the Torah / in that it applies the law to new situations over time / hence is living, breathing document / It contains divergent opinions and therefore models the Jewish tradition of scholarly argument and different interpretations of the Law / it contains stories as well as legal commentary and therefore gives life to tradition and encourages creative thinking for Jews living in Diaspora communities. • Is the formalisation of the oral tradition which existed alongside the Torah / explaining and interpreting the Torah / but of great authority in its own right / vast reservoir of knowledge of • Source from which code of Jewish law is derived / so helps a Jew live a correct life. • Talmud includes commentaries and elucidations of law, ie Mishnah and Gemara / so Jews can learn how to keep the law. • Talmud shows references from Torah and Tenakh / allowing reader to see original authority of what is written. • Provides scholarly discussion and explanation of Jewish law from centuries of debate / links a person into that debate / links to all key thinkers of Judaism / eg Rashi. • ‘Is a training text for (would be) rabbis and their followers / all the commentaries help to see the debate which has ensured, and how it has been resolved, etc. • It is the formalisation of the Oral Torah which some believe existed alongside the Torah at Sinai although it was compiled in the 2nd through 5th Centuries CE
Sources of authority may include: reference to commentary on Torah / it explains Torah and Tenak
structured as Mishnah and Gemara / reference to specific Talmudic quotations e.g. the 39 categories work forbidden on Shabbat [melachot] / ‘If the Tenakh is the cornerstone of Judaism, then the Talmud the central pillar, soaring up from the foundations and supporting the entire spiritual and intellectual edifice’ – Rabbi Adin Even Israel Steinsatz. / “The Talmud is really about the conversation, and the conversation never ends’ – Rabbi Dov Linzer / Pirke Avot, a tractate of the Mishnah, contains many w observations about how to live a good life / “it was also a way to be like God, for God too studies Tora taught Rav Judah, three hours a day (Avodah Zarah 3b / ‘The laws of the written Torah did not cover situations that the people would face once they lived in towns and villages … So God told Moses the laws for the future, but they were not written down.’ (Rabbi Wayne Dosick)
Q2.5: ‘Jews should always worship in the synagogue.’
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.
Extra space
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236G8062/16
Answer:
In your answer you should: • give reasoned arguments to support this statement • give reasoned arguments to support a different point of view 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
• Where there is a minyan, the Shekhinah is present / hence closer to God / worship more special and fulfilling in this way / certain prayers can only be said with a minyan / more likely to find minyan at synagogue. • Synagogue worship ensures worship is done absolutely correctly and properly / no mistakes to offend God with / appropriate and helpful atmosphere for worship / the building encourages focus on God, and understanding of beliefs/teachings by cutting out distractions. • Any place can be a synagogue. The building is not holy, but what goes on in it / intended for purpose of prayer. • Hasidic Jews use synagogue as shul (school) / for study of Torah / others there to debate/discuss with and learn from / this is a form of worship, but could not be done elsewhere so well, etc.
Arguments in support of other views
• Not possible to always worship at the synagogue / Jews pray three times a day / no expectation of being at synagogue for all those prayers / might be too early in the morning / might be working, so need to take time out to pray. • If travelling, a Jew might not be near to a synagogue, so unable to attend for worship / have to • God is everywhere / so worship should be fine anywhere. • Shekhinah considered present when people meet in worship or discussion of Torah / ‘If two sit together and the words between them are of the Torah, then the Shekhinah is in their midst’ (Rabbi Hananiah ben Teradion in Pirke Avot) / this does not demand they be in a synagogue as that discussion can take place anywhere, etc. • Private personal prayer is acceptable to God / Chasidim went into the forest to pray and dance and sing to God / Jewish youth pray when at residential camps, where there is no synagogue / Jews pray when first waking up in the morning and before going to sleep at night – at home not in