Jewish Beliefs & Teachings: The Messiah & the Covenant (Edexcel GCSE Religious Studies A: Judaism): Flashcards
Exam code: 1RA0
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Define Messiah.
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Cards in this collection (43)
Define Messiah.
The word Messiah comes from the Hebrew Mashiach, which means "anointed one" or someone chosen to rule.
Which king do most Jews believe the Messiah will descend from?
Most Jews believe the Messiah will be a great political leader descended from King David.
True or False?
Most Jews believe the Messiah will be a divine being.
False.
Most Jews believe the Messiah will be a holy person close to God, but a human, not a divine being.
There are no references to the Messiah in the ______.
There are no references to the Messiah in the Torah.
According to the Nevi’im, what kind of ruler will the Messiah be?
The Nevi’im say the Messiah will be a wise and righteous ruler who will bring safety and restore Israel.
What building do Jews believe the Messiah will rebuild?
Jews believe the Messiah will rebuild the Temple in Jerusalem.
True or False?
The Nevi’im describe the Messianic Age as a time of peace, justice and prosperity for the Jewish people only.
False.
The Nevi’im describe the Messianic Age as a time of peace, justice and prosperity for all nations.
How do some Kabbalistic Jews believe the Messianic Age will begin?
They believe a figure called Messiah ben Joseph will come first and evil forces will kill him. Then Messiah ben David will defeat evil and establish the Messianic Age.
Maimonides lists belief in the Messiah as the _________ of the Thirteen Principles of Faith.
Maimonides lists belief in the Messiah as the twelfth of the Thirteen Principles of Faith.
How do Reform and Liberal Jews see the Messianic Age?
Reform and Liberal Jews see the Messianic Age as a better time of peace and harmony, with no more war, hatred or intolerance.
True or False?
Orthodox Jews believe the Messianic Age can begin before the Messiah comes to earth.
False.
Orthodox Jews believe the Messianic Age can only begin once the Messiah has come to earth. In contrast, some Reform and Liberal Jews reject the idea of a personal Messiah.
When do some rabbis think the Messiah will come?
Some rabbis think the Messiah will come once all Jewish people observe the mitzvot fully.
How do Jews show the importance of the Messiah in prayer?
Jews recite a prayer three times a day that calls for the coming of the Messiah.
Why does belief in the Messiah give Jews hope?
It enables Jews to believe in a better future and has been a motivating force during times of great difficulty.
Define Tikkun Olam.
Tikkun Olam is work to improve the world through political, social or environmental projects, which many Jews see as helping to bring about the Messianic Age.
Define covenant.
A covenant is a binding agreement between two parties; for Jews, it is the everlasting agreement between God and humans.
What is the Mosaic covenant?
The Mosaic covenant is the agreement between God and the Jewish people that God gave to Moses at Mount Sinai.
Jews call the everlasting covenant between God and humans brit ____.
Jews call the everlasting covenant between God and humans brit olam.
True or False?
Moses received only the written Torah at Mount Sinai.
False.
Moses also received the oral Torah, which Jews later wrote down as the Talmud.
What did God promise the Jewish people if they kept His laws?
God promised to look after them as a holy nation.
Why is Moses essential to the covenant at Sinai?
Moses was the recipient of the covenant: he delivered it to the Jewish people, explained it and led them to follow its laws.
True or False?
Each Jewish tradition follows its own separate covenant.
False.
Reform, Orthodox, Hasidic and Ultra-Orthodox Jews all follow differing interpretations of the same Mosaic covenant.
Which festival celebrates the gift of the Torah?
The festival of Shavuot celebrates the gift of the Torah each year.
Define Decalogue.
The Decalogue is the Ten Commandments, which God gave to Moses on two tablets of stone at Mount Sinai.
Why are the Ten Commandments special among the mitzvot?
All Jews must keep them: they apply to men, women and children, while some other mitzvot apply only to certain members of the religion.
The Ten Commandments were the first of the ___ mitzvot that formed the Torah.
The Ten Commandments were the first of the 613 mitzvot that formed the Torah.
How does the second commandment affect Jewish homes and synagogues?
Jews will not have any statue or carving that might resemble an idol.
How do Jews keep the fourth commandment?
Jews keep the Sabbath holy and do no work from sunset on Friday until the stars appear on Saturday.
True or False?
All Jews interpret "work" on the Sabbath in the same way.
False.
Jews interpret "work" in varying ways; Orthodox Jews have very strict rules about what counts as work.
How might Jews keep the fifth commandment in their community?
Jews may support elderly members of the family or community, for example through the charity Jewish Care.
How does the third commandment affect the way Jews use God’s name?
Jews will not use God’s name disrespectfully or in swearing.
Who do Jews regard as the founder of Judaism?
Jews regard Abraham as the founder or first patriarch of Judaism.
Which land did God call Abraham to travel to?
God called Abraham to travel to Canaan, which Jews often call the Promised Land.
God promised Abraham a Promised Land, a blessed nation and many _______________.
God promised Abraham a Promised Land, a blessed nation and many descendants.
What did God ask Abraham to do in return for His promises?
God asked Abraham to follow His rules and be a good example to others.
True or False?
Abraham and Sarah already had many children when God made the covenant.
False.
God promised Abraham and Sarah the child they longed for; Abraham kept the covenant and Sarah gave birth to Isaac.
Who do Jews call Israel’s patriarchs?
Jews call Abraham, Isaac and Jacob Israel’s patriarchs.
Define Brit Milah.
Brit Milah is the ceremony of circumcision for Jewish baby boys, a sign of the continuing covenant with Abraham, at which the father promises to raise his son in the Jewish faith.
True or False?
All Reform Jews circumcise their sons.
False.
Some Reform and Liberal Jews choose not to circumcise because of health concerns; some Reform Jews hold a brit shalom (ceremony of peace) instead.
Jewish people hold the Brit Milah ceremony for male babies ______ days after they are born.
Jewish people hold the Brit Milah ceremony for male babies eight days after they are born.
Define brit chayim.
The brit chayim (covenant of life) is a Reform and Liberal Jewish ceremony that welcomes girls and includes them as heirs to the Abrahamic covenant.
What idea did the Abrahamic covenant introduce for the Jewish people?
The Abrahamic covenant introduced the importance of the Kingdom of Israel for the Jewish people.
Why do some Ultra-Orthodox Jews not support the state of Israel?
They teach that the return to the Promised Land will only happen when the Messiah comes, so Jews should focus on following the mitzvot for now.
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