4.4 The Covenant & the Mitzvot (AQA GCSE Religious Studies A): Flashcards
Exam code: 8062
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Define covenant.
An agreement between two or more parties in which each has duties; in Judaism, a commitment of love sealed by an oath.
Who is regarded as the founder and first patriarch of Judaism?
Abraham.
What are the three main parts of God's covenant with Abraham?
God called Abraham to Canaan (the Promised Land)
God promised to make him a great nation
God promised to bless him and his family
In which city was Abraham born?
Ur (in modern-day Iraq).
How was the covenant with Abraham sealed?
Through circumcision.
Define Brit Milah.
The circumcision of a male baby, eight days after birth, as a sign of the covenant.
Who are the three patriarchs of Israel?
Abraham, Isaac and Jacob.
True or False?
Jews believe God may break his covenant with them.
False.
The covenant is an 'everlasting covenant' (brit olam) — God will never break it.
God told Abraham: 'Go forth from your native land... I will make of you a great ______' (Genesis 12:1–2).
God told Abraham: 'Go forth from your native land... I will make of you a great nation' (Genesis 12:1–2).
To which land did God tell Abraham to travel?
Canaan, the Promised Land (today known as Israel).
Which son did God give Abraham and Sarah as part of the covenant?
Isaac.
A covenant in Judaism can only be established and sealed by an ______.
A covenant in Judaism can only be established and sealed by an oath.
What did Abraham promise God in return for the covenant?
That he and his descendants would obey and worship God and lead by example.
Who is regarded as the greatest prophet in Judaism?
Moses.
What did Moses lead the Israelites out of?
Slavery in Egypt, towards the Promised Land.
Through what did God first speak to Moses?
A burning bush.
Where did God reveal the 613 commandments to Moses?
On Mount Sinai.
What did the covenant at Sinai require the Israelites, as God's chosen people, to do?
Keep the commandments.
Define the Oral Torah.
Teachings (believed mainly by Orthodox Jews to be given to Moses) passed down by word of mouth to help interpret the Written Torah.
At which two festivals is the Exodus from Egypt remembered?
Succoth and Pesach.
True or False?
Jews believe Moses is the only person to have witnessed God face to face.
True.
Moses is believed to be the only person to have witnessed God face to face.
When Moses doubted his role, God reassured him: 'Because I will be ______ you' (Exodus 3).
When Moses doubted his role, God reassured him: 'Because I will be with you' (Exodus 3).
In fulfilment of which covenant do many Jews believe the land of Israel belongs to them?
God's covenant with Abraham (the Promised Land).
In which year was the modern State of Israel created?
1948.
Besides the Ten Commandments, God revealed all ______ commandments to Moses at Sinai.
Besides the Ten Commandments, God revealed all 613 commandments to Moses at Sinai.
Why do some Jews feel the State of Israel should not have been set up before the Messiah?
They believe the Jews' exile from the land was a punishment from God.
What did God do to the Red Sea to help the Israelites escape?
Parted it, allowing them to escape Pharaoh.
What do the first four of the Ten Commandments cover?
The relationship between God and humans; the final six cover how people relate to each other.
Define the mitzvot.
The 613 laws in the Torah that Jews try to follow; they form the basis of the Halakhah.
How many positive and negative mitzvot are there?
248 positive (mitzvot aseh — what to do) and 365 negative (what not to do).
Who compiled the list of the 613 mitzvot?
Maimonides (in the Sefer Madda / Book of Knowledge).
Define Tzedakah.
Charity as an obligation (not a choice) in Judaism — giving to those less fortunate.
Define Tikkun olam.
'Repairing the world' — helping to heal the world through social justice and good deeds.
What is Mitzvah Day?
A day (started in Britain in 2008) when people do good deeds — reducing poverty and caring for the environment and others.
True or False?
Orthodox and Reform Jews agree that all 613 mitzvot must be followed.
False.
Orthodox Jews uphold every mitzvot (the Torah is the literal word of God); Reform Jews focus on the rules that seem relevant to modern life.
Name two things the Ten Commandments forbid.
Idolatry, blasphemy, adultery, stealing, murder, lying or envy.
Define Gemilut Hasadim.
A central principle of Judaism — that everyone should carry out good deeds and acts of loving kindness.
The Torah teaches: 'Love your ______ as yourself' (Leviticus 19:18).
The Torah teaches: 'Love your fellow as yourself' (Leviticus 19:18).
Why do Jews give to charity, according to their beliefs about wealth?
They believe their wealth is on loan from God, so they should give to bring justice to the poor.
What is the difference between ritual mitzvot and moral mitzvot?
Ritual mitzvot cover worship and festivals (a personal covenant with God); moral mitzvot cover how Jews act towards other people.
The mitzvot form the basis of the ______, the code of conduct for Jewish life.
The mitzvot form the basis of the Halakhah, the code of conduct for Jewish life.
As part of which covenant do Jews keep the Ten Commandments?
The covenant made at Mount Sinai.
Define Pikuach nefesh.
The obligation to save a life — more important than any other mitzvah.
Define the sanctity of life.
The belief that life is holy and belongs to God, who alone can give and take it.
Can a Jew break a mitzvah to save a life?
Yes — e.g. a doctor may break the Sabbath, or non-kosher food may be eaten, to save a life.
What are the four exceptions that can never be broken, even to save a life?
Murder
Idolatry
Incest
Adultery
Who devised the Eight Levels of Giving (Tzedakah)?
Maimonides.
What is the highest level of giving in Maimonides' hierarchy?
Giving a gift, loan or partnership that makes the recipient self-sufficient.
True or False?
In Judaism, euthanasia is permitted to end suffering.
False.
Because life is holy and belongs to God, no act of euthanasia or murder is allowed.
Why is organ donation permitted in Judaism?
Because it could save someone's life (a preventative act, upholding pikuach nefesh).
The Sanhedrin teaches: 'He who destroys one soul... it is as if he should destroy a whole ______'.
The Sanhedrin teaches: 'He who destroys one soul... it is as if he should destroy a whole world'.
Name a career that helps fulfil pikuach nefesh.
A health worker, aid worker, police or fire officer.
Charity should be given in the correct ______ and with the correct intention.
Charity should be given in the correct spirit and with the correct intention.
Why do Jews believe all human life is precious?
Because humans were made 'in the image of God' (Genesis 1:26).
Define Halakhah.
'Jewish Law' (literally 'the path that one walks') — the practical application of the 613 mitzvot in daily life.
Define Yetzer Ha Tov.
The inclination to do good acts.
Define Yetzer Ha Ra.
The inclination to do evil acts.
Does Judaism teach that people are born sinful?
No — each person is born with a balance of two inclinations: Yetzer Ha Tov (good) and Yetzer Ha Ra (evil).
What is the purpose of the mitzvot in relation to free will?
They are guidance to help Jews use their free will correctly.
Which story shows God gave humans free will but with consequences?
The story of Adam and Eve in Genesis.
True or False?
Judaism teaches that a physical devil forces people to do evil.
False.
Evil comes from an imbalance towards the Yetzer Ha Ra, not an external evil being.
God told Israel: 'I have set before you life and death... Choose ______' (Deuteronomy 30:19).
God told Israel: 'I have set before you life and death... Choose life' (Deuteronomy 30:19).
Define Pikuach nefesh.
The obligation on all Jews to protect and save life — their own and others'.
Why do Jews believe they should preserve life?
Because God is the Creator of all life, so only He should decide when life begins or ends.
The Jewish belief in free will is closely linked to the concepts of reward and ______.
The Jewish belief in free will is closely linked to the concepts of reward and punishment.
What does the literal translation of 'Halakhah' mean?
'The path that one walks'.
Whose responsibility is it to follow the mitzvot?
The individual's — an expression of the Jewish belief in free will.
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