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Paper 2Y Perspectives on faith (Judaism)
June 2024
Q1.1: Which one of the following does not refer to the sanctity of human life?
Put a tick () in the box next to the correct answer. A Human life is holy. B Human life is meaningless. C Human life is special. D Human life is valuable.
Answer:
beliefs, practices and sources of authority. Answer: B Human life is meaningless.
Q1.2: Give two commandments about how Jews should treat others.
Answer:
beliefs, practices and sources of authority. Honour your father and mother / do not kill / do not commit adultery / do not steal / do not bear false witness / do not covet / love your neighbour as yourself, etc.
Q1.3: Explain two contrasting Jewish beliefs about the Messiah.
Question 1 continues on the next page
Answer:
similarities and differences within and/or between religions and beliefs. First contrasting belief Second contrasting belief Contrast may mean opposing or different beliefs. • The Messiah is an individual person who will come in the future / in each generation there is someone who has the potential to be the Messiah / Messiah will be a descendant of David / if the Jewish people are worthy, he will be their leader / and teach the Torah / Jews will wait for this • He will inaugurate the Messianic Age in which the Temple will be rebuilt / Jews will be brought bac to Israel / he will bring peace and unity to the world, etc. • The Messiah is not an individual person / but a symbol of what the Jewish people are meant to be to live according to the Torah, etc. • The Messiah was a figure in the Jewish scriptures / he was expected to liberate the Jews from oppression / this idea has no relevance for modern Judaism / Jews should focus on their current lif or living a good life / Reform Jews believe that it is up to them to bring about the Messianic age described in the Jewish scriptures, etc. • The Messiah will fulfil the prophecies (Maimonides)
Q1.4: Explain two Jewish beliefs about the covenant between God and Abraham.
Refer to scripture or another source of Jewish belief and teaching in your answer.
Answer:
beliefs, practices and sources of authority. Relevant and accurate reference to scripture or another source of Jewish belief and teaching – 1 mark • It was a personal relationship between God and Abraham / initiated by God / the covenant teaches about obedience to God / trust built with God, etc. • Abraham to be the father of a nation / it included Abraham’s descendants / Jews believe that as the descendants of Abraham, they have special responsibility given to them by God to keep the • The covenant with Abraham was sealed through circumcision / Jews become part of this covenant through the ceremony of brit milah / this is performed eight days after birth, etc. • God promised Abraham and his descendants land / Jews believe that Israel is the promised land / the end of Pesach, Jews say ‘Next year in Jerusalem’ / this expresses the special attachment Jew wherever they live, feel for Israel, etc.
Sources of authority might include:
‘Go forth from your native land…to the land that I will show you. I will make of you a great nation, and will bless you…’ (Genesis 12:1–2) ‘You shall circumcise the flesh of your foreskin, and that shall be a sign of the covenant between me and you.’ (Genesis 17:11) ‘I will make your descendants as numerous as the stars in the sky.’ (Genesis 26:4) Accept all other sources of authority that correctly support the beliefs given.
Q1.5: ‘For Jews, belief in God as Creator gives the best understanding of the nature of God.’
Evaluate this statement. In your answer you should: • give reasoned arguments to support this statement • give reasoned arguments to support a different point of view • refer to Jewish teaching • 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 mar and understanding of relevant evidence and information. References to religion applied to the issue. relevant evidence and information. Clear reference to religion. relevant evidence and information.
Arguments in support:
• It emphasises the transcendence of God / and his omnipotence / he created everything just by his • What he created was good / it was in accordance with his will and purpose. • God provided for the needs of all living things at creation / and he sustains the universe / he cares his creation, etc.
Arguments in support of other views:
• Belief in God as one gives the best understanding / this belief is expressed in the Shema / God is single, indivisible being / infinite and eternal / he alone created the universe. • The concept of God as Law-Giver helps Jews understand the nature of his relationship with them obeying the mitzvot, they put into effect God’s good purposes for his world. • The concept of God as Judge emphasises his justice / he is fair in all his dealings with humanity. • God is merciful and forgiving / he has compassion for humans, recognising their moral frailty, etc. • No one concept of God gives a full understanding of God’s nature / God’s nature cannot be fully understood by humans. • God is also a divine presence (‘shekinah’) so Jews may experience God in this way rather than thinking of God as creator, etc. Q2 Judaism: Practices
Q2.1: Which one of the following practices should Jews carry out on Yom Kippur?
Put a tick () in the box next to the correct answer. A Eat apples and honey B Fast for twenty-five hours C Eat bitter herbs D Leave an empty chair for Elijah
Answer:
beliefs, practices and sources of authority. Answer: B Fast for twenty-five hours
Q2.2: Name two religious features that are found in Orthodox synagogues.
Answer:
beliefs, practices and sources of authority. The reading platform (the bimah) / the ark (aron hakodesh) / the ever burning light (ner tamid) / the st of David (magen David) / the many-branched candlestick (menorah) / the Ten Commandments / a separate seating area for women / the mikveh / Torah Scrolls, etc.
Q2.3: Explain two ways in which Jewish mourning rituals (customs) influence the lives of
families who have lost a loved one.
Question 2 continues on the next page
Answer:
influence on individuals, communities and societies. To be a ‘detailed’ explanation the influence of the way must be included. • Making a tear in clothing / demonstrate the grief and loss of the person / Blessing on hearing the death / acceptance of God’s will to end the life, etc. • The seven days of mourning (Shiva) take place from the day of the burial / mourners’ lives are put hold / they stay at home / sit on low stools / they do not focus on their appearance but on the perso who has died / they do not wear leather shoes, cut their hair, shave, wear make-up or work / wear dark or dull colours / they recite the kaddish / this helps Jews remember the person who died / be with their families / express their emotions, etc. • The next period of mourning lasts for thirty days / there are still a number of restrictions on their lifestyle, though there is a staged return to normality / they return to work etc / but do not listen to music, attend parties / shave or cut their hair / male mourners say the kaddish (prayers) daily in the • The final period of mourning lasts for eleven months / life is virtually back to normal, but not quite / mourners do not go to parties / sons say the kaddish (prayers) for parents who have died / this shows respect for those who have died, etc. • Some male Jews mark the anniversary of a parent’s death by saying the kaddish (prayers) / sons and daughters light a candle that burns for 24 hours / this is a way of remembering their parents, • The dead person is remembered by a tombstone being placed on the grave / sometimes there is a ceremony to mark this being done / those who visit the grave leave a small stone to mark their visit it shows respect for the person who has died, etc.
Q2.4: Explain two Jewish beliefs about the importance of a girl’s Bat Mitzvah ceremony.
Refer to scripture or another source of Jewish belief and teaching in your answer.
Answer:
beliefs, practices and sources of authority. Relevant and accurate reference to scripture or another source of Jewish belief and teaching – 1 mark • The ceremony takes place when the girl is aged twelve or thirteen / she is now seen as old enough to take on responsibility for practising her faith / and for keeping the mitzvot, etc. • Bat Mitzvah means ‘daughter of the commandment’ / the girl now takes on her role as an adult member of the Jewish community / learning how to keep a Jewish home / eg lighting the Shabbat candles / food laws / the use of the mikvah, etc. • For Orthodox Jews the ceremony will be a quiet affair at home / as Orthodox Jewish women do no take an active part in synagogue worship / but it will mark her new status, etc. • In the Reform tradition, the Bat Mitzvah ceremony is similar to the Bar Mitzvah / the girl reads from the Torah / gives a short speech / and may lead part of the synagogue service / she now has a role to play in public worship / able to be part of the minyan, etc.
Sources of authority might include:
‘Regarding a girl of eleven years and one day, her vows are examined [ie she is questioned in order determine if her vows are valid]. At twelve years and one day, her vows stand. And we examine [he vows] for the entire twelfth [year]. Prior to this time [ie eleven years and one day for a girl and twelve years and one day for a boy], even if they said, “We know in whose name we vowed, and in whose name we sanctified,” their vows are not vows and their sanctifications are not sanctified property. Aft this time, even if they say, “We do not know in whose name we vowed, and in whose name we sanctified,” their vows are vows…’ (Mishnah Niddah 5:6) ‘Train children in the right way, and when old they will not stray.’ (Proverbs 22:6) ‘My child, do not forget my teaching, but let your heart keep my commandments; for length of days an years of life and abundant welfare they will give you.’ (Proverbs 2:1–2) NB: Credit references to sources of authority that support illustration of the importance of becoming a Bat Mitzvah, eg keeping dietary laws. Accept all other sources of authority that correctly support the belief given.
Q2.5: ‘Spending time with family is the main purpose of Shabbat (the Jewish Sabbath).’
Evaluate this statement. In your answer you should: • give reasoned arguments to support this statement • give reasoned arguments to support a different point of view • refer to Jewish teaching • reach a justified conclusion.
[SPaG 3 marks]
Extra space
Question . number .
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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 [Plus SPaG 3 mar and understanding of relevant evidence and information. References to religion applied to the issue. relevant evidence and information. Clear reference to religion. relevant evidence and information.
Arguments in support:
• Shabbat is an opportunity to strengthen family ties / to become closer to one another / to show thei faith in God / the home plays a prominent part in Shabbat observance, etc. • Many non-observant Jews often take part in the Friday evening meal / a time when the family is together / a time for family celebration, etc. • The Friday evening meal is an opportunity for children to learn the roles they will play when they become adults / eg the lighting of the candles / the blessing of the family / the blessings over the Kiddush cup and the challah bread / and to hear stories from the Jewish scriptures / a time for educating in the faith, etc. • Saturday afternoon is family time / studying the Torah / relaxing together, etc.
Arguments in support of other views:
• Shabbat is essentially a time for growing closer to God / a day of rest from everyday activities / it is gift from God / and means obeying his commandment to keep the day holy / it reminds Jews of Go resting on the final day of creation / Jews can spend time with their families on other days of the week, not just Shabbat, etc. • Worship is a key part of Shabbat observance / men attend the synagogue on Friday evening before the family meal / the family go to the synagogue on Saturday morning but in Orthodox services women and girls do not sit with men / this is so that men will not be distracted, etc. • Study of the Torah is an important part of Shabbat observance / in the synagogue services there a readings and explanation from the rabbi / on Saturday afternoon, Orthodox Jewish men will study t Torah with their sons / and explain its meaning, etc.