FoxChild@Learn
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June 2024
Q1.1: Which one of the following is not a key moral principle in Judaism?
Put a tick () in the box next to the correct answer. A Giving charity B Healing the world C Kindness to others D Waiting for the Messiah
Answer:
beliefs, practices and sources of authority Answer: D Waiting for the Messiah
Q1.2: Give two Jewish beliefs about the divine presence (Shekhinah).
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Answer:
beliefs, practices and sources of authority. considered for marking. God’s manifested glory / the presence of God among his people on earth / the Tabernacle was an early dwelling place of the Shekhinah / the Shekinah is felt at the Western Wall / manifested as a pillar of fire or a cloud on the journey to the Promised Land / a sign of God’s power and glory / the presence of God in the Temple referred to by several prophets / when ten are gathered in prayer, the Shekinah dwells among them / Shekinah can be felt during study with a group / Bet Din / the Shekinah is the feminine presence of God / the ner tamid symbolises the Shekinah / following Halachah brings the Shekinah down etc. It is important to differentiate between the nature of God and the Shekinah e.g.omnipotence / omnipresence which should not be credited.
Q1.3: Explain two ways in which belief in God as Creator influences Jews today.
Question 1 continues on the next page
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Answer:
influence on individuals, communities and societies. To be a ‘detailed explanation’ the ‘influence’ of the way must be included. • Jews believe that God created the earth and all living things on the earth / Jews are influenced to remember this throughout their time on earth in order that it should affect their treatment of the earth / and all living things on the earth / therefore human life is sacred (sanctity of life) / and animals must be treated with respect / Jews may wish to protest or campaign to protect the environment eg global warming / because the earth belongs to God / they may be vegetarian or vegan because God created animals. • God created the earth exactly how he wanted it and revealed himself in his creation / people should try to maintain God’s creation. • The Creation story refers to God resting on day 7 of creation once the earth was finished / Jews also rest on the 7th day (Shabbat) to respect God and his creation. • The earth that God created was repeatedly said in the Torah to be good / Jews must ensure it stays good by living in a way that does not damage the environment / not overusing or abusing the resources the earth provides / showing good stewardship of an earth that does not belong to us but is on loan from God. • The belief that God is the creator is a display of God’s omnipotence and omniscience / Jews must respect these other facets of the nature of God. • God sustains the earth he created by providing resources humans need to live on his earth / Jews must work to ensure that God’s resources are shared among all living creatures so all have sufficient to live. • Psalms 8 and 104, etc.
Q1.4: Explain two Jewish beliefs about the role of Moses.
Refer to sacred writings or another source of Jewish belief and teaching in your answer.
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Answer:
beliefs, practices and sources of authority. Relevant and accurate reference to sacred writing or another source of Jewish belief and teaching – 1 mark • At Mt Sinai, Moses went alone to the top of the mountain / to speak to God / to receive the 10 commandments which were a sign of God’s new covenant between himself and the Jews as represented by Moses. • Some believe he wrote the Torah / including the Ten Commandments, the mitzvot and explanations and interpretations / to advise the Jews about how God needed them to live, etc. • Moses was given a leadership role by God to lead the Jews (Hebrews) out of Egypt to the land that God had promised them / God gave Moses the power and authority to complete this task. • Moses was God’s spokesperson in conversation with his fellow Jews and also Pharaoh about letting the Jews leave / promising plagues from God / worked miracles and had the authority and ability to converse with God face to face. • Once Moses had led them out of Egypt across the Red Sea / by miraculous means / he led them through the Sinai wilderness to Mt Sinai / throughout the journey, Moses took the role of spiritual leader as well as a ‘political’ one / considered to be an important prophet, etc.
Sources of authority might include:
‘He made known his ways to Moses, his acts to the people of Israel.’ (Psalm 103:7). ‘And there has not arisen a prophet since in Israel like Moses, whom the Lord knew face to face.’ ‘Moses wrote this law and gave it to the priests.’ (Deut 31:9). ‘For no-one has ever shown the mighty power or performed the awesome deeds that Moses did in the sight of all Israel.’ (Deut 34:12). Maimonides said, ‘in Israel there never arose another prophet like Moses, able to see God’s Allow attributed references to accurate and relevant details from the story of Moses as told in the Accept all other sources of authority that correctly support the beliefs given.
Q1.5: ‘The sanctity of human life is the most important Jewish teaching.’
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
• The sanctity of human life emphasises God’s most important and sacred gift / the gift of life which was given ‘in the image of God’ / which only he can take away. • The gift of life is so important that God wants people to protect human life under all circumstances / preserving human life is a duty set by God / ‘He who destroys one soul of a human being, the Scripture considers him as if he should destroy a whole world’ (Sanhedrin 4:5) / ‘Do not murder’ • Linked to the teaching of Pikuach Nefesh / which allows Jews to break the mitzvot in order to fulfil their obligation to save a human life / the Sabbath laws can be broken and work can be done on the Sabbath if its intention is to protect or save human life / examples such as driving a person to hospital or performing a life saving operation on the Sabbath. • The sanctity of human life rules out actions seen by some as immoral / such as active euthanasia and murder / but allows such things as organ donation provided neither party is put at severe risk,
Arguments in support of other views
• The Shema emphasises belief in one God / puts the love of God before the love of a neighbour / this makes this religious obligation to God more important than any obligation to others. • It is wrong to draw a distinction between human life and other forms of life / such as animal life / which are also part of God’s creation. • Whilst the sanctity of human life is very important, there are occasions when saving a human life may not be for the best / keeping people alive at all costs could be seen as cruel / if a person is being kept alive on a ventilator with no chance of recovery, some would argue is it better to allow them to die / it may not be God’s preferred choice to intervene if there is no hope otherwise / the quality of life outweighs the sanctity of life in such situations. • Those who commit the worst crimes should face capital punishment / because it is what they deserve for taking the lives of innocent people. • The sanctity of life opens up the question of when human life begins which affects decisions such as on abortion. • The key moral principles of justice / healing the world / charity / kindness to others are more important than the sanctity of human life / each of them try to improve the quality / and value of the lives of others / in day to day living / emphasise the loving / merciful nature of God / the belief that he is just. • Arguments that prioritise other aspects or interpretations of Judaism over the sanctity of human studying the scriptures etc. Q2 Judaism: Practices
Q2.1: Which one of the following best describes the Amidah?
Put a tick () in the box next to the correct answer. A Cup of wine B Ever burning light C Reading platform D Standing prayer
Answer:
beliefs, practices and sources of authority. Answer: D Standing prayer
Q2.2: Give two things that take place during a Bar Mitzvah ceremony.
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Answer:
beliefs, practices and sources of authority. considered for marking. The boy is called to read from the Torah / at a normal synagogue service / he wears a tallit for the first time / may lead part of the service / prayers / give a short speech (Dvar Torah)/ in a blessing father thanks God for bringing his son to maturity / declares his son is now responsible for his actions / rabbi may preach a sermon / blesses the boy / ‘The Lord bless thee and keep thee.’ / throwing sweets after the Torah reading / the boy is part of the minyan for the first time, etc.
Q2.3: Explain two contrasting design features between Orthodox and Reform synagogues.
Question 2 continues on the next page
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Answer:
similarities and differences within and/or between religions and beliefs First contrasting feature Second contrasting feature Contrast may mean opposing or mean different views. If similar features are given, only one of them may be credited up to 2 marks max. • Orthodox synagogues have separate areas for women and men / perhaps having a balcony or seats at the back behind a screen for women (mechitzah) / and seats within the main body of the synagogue for men / because they wish to avoid distraction or sexual thoughts between the genders / allow greater focus on their worship • Reform synagogues allow men and women to sit together / at the same level / with families together if they wish. • In Orthodox synagogues, the person leading the service stands in front of the aron hakodesh (ark) / and ner tamid (ever burning light) / to symbolise the eternal presence of God and the holiness of the Torah scrolls / which are at the front facing Jerusalem / so his back is facing the congregation / so he prays facing the same way as everybody else. • The bimah (reading platform) is likely to be near the centre of the Orthodox synagogue / to symbolise that the word of the Torah should go to the whole world / so the congregation face it • Reform synagogues usually have the bimah in front of the aron hakodesh (ark) and ner tamid (ever burning light) / so the congregation face them during worship / but the person leading the service faces the congregation / so they can more easily hear what is being said. • An organ (or other instruments) may be found in a Reform synagogue / Reform worship usually includes accompanied singing / whereas Orthodox worship includes unaccompanied singing / so an organ (or other instruments) is not required in an Orthodox synagogue, etc.
Q2.4: Explain two reasons why Jews worship on Shabbat.
Refer to sacred writings or another source of Jewish belief and teaching in your answer.
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Answer:
beliefs, practices and sources of authority. Relevant and accurate reference to sacred writing or another source of Jewish belief and teaching – 1 mark • Observing the Shabbat is one of the Ten Commandments / ‘Remember the Sabbath day and keep it holy’ (Exodus 20:8). • Shabbat is a celebration of creation / ‘God blessed the seventh day and made it holy, because on it he rested from all the work of creating that he had done’ (Genesis 2:3). • Shabbat observance may include the whole Jewish community worshipping in a synagogue / the presence of a rabbi gives the observance authority / can hear scriptures being read / sermon preached / blessings said / praying together / the best place for the minyan requirement to be • Symbolism of actions performed in a synagogue is important to Jews / worship on Shabbat may include: standing in front of the scroll / covering of the Torah scroll / parading of the Torah scroll / the same passage from the Torah is read throughout the world. • Jews touching the Torah with a prayer book or with the tassels on the prayer shawl recalls the words from Ezekiel: ‘eat this scroll I am giving you...So I ate it and it tasted as sweet as honey in my mouth.’ (Ezekiel 3:3). • Worship in the home brings together the whole family / each member of the family is involved / it is a relaxed occasion / Shabbat meal is an important feature / along with blessings / recalling stories from the scriptures / singing / prayers / study of the Torah. • On Friday evening, the Shabbat is welcomed like a bride coming to meet her husband (the whole Jewish people) / services may be designed to cater for families / kiddush is recited and shared, thanking God for Shabbat.
Sources of authority might include:
‘Remember the Sabbath day and keep it holy...for six days the Lord made Heaven and Earth, and on the seventh day He ceased from work and rested’ (Exodus 20:8,11). ‘And the children of Israel shall keep the Sabbath to observe the Sabbath throughout the generations, for a perpetual covenant’ (Exodus 31:16). ‘Six days you shall labour and do all your work; but on the seventh day, which is a Sabbath in honour of the Lord your God’ (Exodus 20:9-10). ‘Eat this scroll I am giving you...So I ate it and it tasted as sweet as honey in my mouth.’ (Ezekiel ‘Observe the Sabbath day and keep it holy as your God Adoni has commanded you.’ (Deuteronomy 5:12) etc. Accept all other sources of authority that correctly support the beliefs given.
Q2.5: ‘Dietary laws are important for all Jews.’
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.
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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 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
• Dietary laws are set out in detail in the Torah (Leviticus 11; Deuteronomy 14) / the authority of the Torah should be respected and obeyed / God put dietary laws in place and therefore he considers them to be important. • Dietary laws are part of the tradition of the faith which is very important to Jews / helps Jews to keep their special identity / it is something that all Jews are expected to do. • Dietary laws are a test of faith / help Jews to develop self-control required by God / remind Jews daily of their faith / a mark that Jews are God’s chosen people and special and different from others / all these reasons mean their observance is still important. • It is still thought by some, that blood is the life of an animal / so the dietary law involving eating of blood in meat should not change. • Maimonides said that dietary laws enable people to master their appetites / because food is a valuable and sometimes scarce thing / especially in some periods of Jewish history. • The health and hygiene benefits still apply / even though they are less relevant in modern society. • In modern society, it is easier to keep dietary laws because of better labelling of food / non-dairy ‘dairy products’ / vegetarian and vegan foods are plentiful / so there is no excuse for not keeping dietary laws which God requires, etc.
Arguments in support of other views
• There are many different levels and interpretations of Kashrut within all the denominations of • For some Jews, modern food preparation and storage methods eg refrigeration remove the need for dietary laws. • Also, dietary laws are considered by many to be out of date and no longer what God requires / life has moved on over the last 3000+ years. • Some argue that the ethical treatment of animals is a wider and more important issue than simply accepting or rejecting religious dietary laws. • God gives Jews the chance to make individual choices. • Some believe that dietary laws are more important than others / e.g. for health reasons having blood drained may be considered more important than not mixing meat and dairy. • Modern processed food containing additives make it very difficult to keep dietary laws. • It is not always practical or affordable to have separate kitchens and utensils for meat and dairy. • It may be difficult for observant members of the Jewish community to eat with others who keep Kashrut in different ways etc.