AUDIT for the Reformed GCSE Annex

AUDIT for the reformed GCSE Annex Judaism

Common and divergent views within Judaism in the way beliefs and teachings are understood and expressed should be included throughout. Students should know and understand the basis for beliefs and teachings (1) and practices (2) and be able to reference relevant sources of wisdom and authority, including scripture and/or sacred texts. Specifications that include topic (3) ‘sources of wisdom and authority’ must require students to study in detail the content requirements listed under that heading.

Indicate areas for 1. Beliefs and teachings INSET Comment With a cross  the nature of God  Judaism is a monotheist religion including God as One,  You shall have no other gods before Me, Creator, Law-Giver and 1st Commandment Judge  God as Creator of Heaven and Earth  God is Universal, God of all nations Judaism teaches:  God the Giver of the Law,  God is omnipotent – God is all  God as Judge, will give the people God’s Laws powerful and Judge them, Yom Kippur is the Day of  God is omnipresent – God is Atonement and the Day of Judgement (Yom Ha everywhere Din)  God is omniscience – God  Redeemer and Saviour of the Jewish people, knows everything, past, present  Sanctifier. We become holy by doing holy acts: and future, knows our thoughts. “You shall be holy for I the Lord your God am holy” (Leviticus 19) The only dogma in Judaism is; There is no dogma in Judaism.  We are created in the image of God, yet God is incorporeal and has no physical appearance. Anthropomorphic language used; The hand of God, walking in the Garden of Eden  Name of God unknown. God is described by God’s attributes including; o Great, mighty, awesome, Father, King (Sovereign/Ruler), Creator of Heaven and Earth  Performing Mitzvot (a command/sometimes a good deed) helps Jews become more holy

Creator of Heaven and Earth  Jewish believe that God created the earth 5776 years ago. The new day starts at sunset the evening beforehand, It was evening, it was morning, day one (Genesis 1)  Dates are defined as BCE, Before the Common Era and CE, Common Era.  Following the lunar calendar (cycles of the moon)

 the divine presence . The Shekhinah is God's dwelling and immanence in the (Shekhinah created world. Usually referred to in masculine terms, as 1 God is incorporeal there are times when we refer to God using feminine terms. The Shekhinah, the manifestation of God’s presence that fills the universe, is conceived of in feminine terms, and the word Shekhinah is a feminine word. (website; Jewfaq, Judaism 101, Nov 2015)  the importance of the Moses is central in the Torah as he was the only Prophet Covenant at Sinai (the to talk to (Burning Bush) and see the face of God (Mt Sinai) but he would not lead the children of Israel to the Ten Commandments) Land of Israel. including the role of Moses Believe God gave Moses the 10 Commandments to teach the people who would promise to Teach them to their children and their children’s children, from generation to generation for those that will know Me and love Me. This is the Brit Olam – An everlasting Covenant between God and the Jewish people (Deuteronomy 14)

Covenant is sealed with acceptance of 10 commandments at Mt Sinai in the desert, following the Exodus from Egypt. The Orthodox view is that the word of God was spoken and recorded and therefore cannot be altered in any way. The Reform and Progressive view is that the word was inspired by God and written by man and can therefore be interpreted.

 The importance that Pikuach Nefesh Judaism places on the Saving a human life is sacrosanct. This Mitzvah overrides the Mitzvah to Observe the sanctity of human life, Sabbath and Keep it Holy including the concept of “Neither shall you stand by the blood of your neighbour” Pikuach Nefesh (Lev 19:16). According to Pikuach Nefesh a person must do everything in their power to save the life of another, even donate bodily organs. It is also permissible to travel on Shabbat to save a person’s life. Maimonides (C12th CE Jewish Philosopher) declared that a Jew should take the individual, even if a gentile is present, in order to encourage “compassion, loving-kindness and peace in the world” (Mishneh Torah, 2:3). The laws of the Sabbath may be suspended to provide any necessary medical care to a critically ill individual or to an individual in the likelihood of danger to life.

 The nature and role of the Jews believe in a Messianic Age when there will be Messiah universal peace on earth and good will towards all people. God will appoint the Messiah who will come with God’s authority when the world is finished, perfected, by humankind. The Messiah will be chosen by God, will be a descendent of King David, heralded by the Prophet Elijah. Tikkun Olam – Mitzvah: To repair or finish the world in partnership with God the Creator. Jews pray daily for the coming of the Messiah

 The Promised Land God tells Abram to ‘Go, to a land that I will show you, to a place you do not know, and I will make you a great nation 2 promised to Abraham and and I will bless you. Genesis XII, v1.4 his descendants This describes the journey and the Promised Land. God tells Moses to bring the Children of Israel out of slavery in Egypt to the Promised Land.

 Key moral principles Judaism teaches God gave the people free will. Humanity including the relationship was formed with two impulses: between free will and the Yezter Tov – Impulse/Will to do Good, and 613 Mitzvot Yezter Rah – Impulse/Will to do evil God wants us to Choose Life, do Mitzvot and live in God’s Mitzvah meaning: image. A commandment or religious duty Mitzvot must be observed:  248 positive mitzvoth – must be followed  365 negative mitzvoth – forbidden

The Pomegranate is said to have 613 seeds corresponding with the Mitzvot in the Torah

 Mitzvot between man and Mitzvot between man and God, include: God and between man Positive: Love God and man o o Know God Study Torah Judaism teaches: o th The world stands on three things; o Remember the Sabbath and Keep it Holy (4 principles: commandment) Negative: o Torah - Law o Do not profane God’s name o Avodah - Worship o Do not worship idols o G’millut Chassidim – Acts of Mitzvot between man and man, include: Loving Kindness Positive o Tzedekah – Justice, giving charity or 10% of “And the study of Torah leads to them salary, supporting the rights of others, working for all”. justice o Honor thy father and thy mother o Bikkur Cholim, Visiting the sick o Gemilut Chassidim, Acts of Loving Kindness o Chessed – kindness to others o Pekuach Nefesh – save a human life Negative: o Do not commit adultery o Do not envy Torah scroll o Do not steal Written on parchment from a Kosher o Do not kill animal (cloven hoof and chews the cud) o Do not deal harshly with widows and orphans by a Scribe (Sofer) o Do not hold back a hired man’s wages  Life after death including Emphasis on correct living on earth. judgement and No specific teaching in Judaism about an afterlife. Maimonides, 12th Century CE Philosopher resurrection. “The pious of all nations of the world have a portion in the Also see Yom Kippur world to come”. In the second column please indicate if members of your department would like/need further assistance with the topic listed in column one. In the third column you might refine your response, suggesting the depth of need, or the aspect of the topic which requires further attention. Indicate areas 2. Practices for INSET 3 with a cross  The place of public acts of The Synagogue (Greek: meaning Assembly) is the Jewish worship: synagogue House of Worship, House of Prayer and the House of Study. It is the Library, the place of meetings and the services religion school. Also used as the community centre and Youth club, elderly day care and other social uses. A Rabbi is the communal leader, Religious Services are held Friday evenings and Saturday teacher and pastoral support for the mornings and Festivals. Orthodox synagogues will also community hold weekly morning services (Shacharit) To recite certain prayers requires a Minyan of 10 adult Jewish men over 13 for Orthodox practice. Reform and Progressive practice includes women over 13 years. Services include Liturgy (fixed prayer), set weekly readings from the Torah and Prophets and psalms. In Reform communities singing is accompanied by musical instruments. The home is also a place to pray and live a Jewish life. Praying as a community helps share the burden of sins, sorrows, pain and grief also for the joys and blessings (Simchas such as Weddings and Bar or Batmitzvah) Rabbis are trained and ordained in Rabbinical colleges. Rabbis have no special power, unlike in Christianity, they cannot be intermediaries for their congregants where each is responsible for their own prayers and their own soul.

In Reform and Progressive communities women as well as men are ordained. Orthodox Rabbis are all male.  The significance of the Tanakh – the Jewish Bible, stands for the following books; use of the Tenakh (the  Torah (5 Books of Moses - Pentateuch) Written Law) and the  Nevi’im - Book of Prophets Talmud (the Oral Law) in  Ketuvi’im - Book of Writings daily life All of Jewish Law includes  Tanakh  Talmud, Talmud o Mishnah Legal commentary on the Torah. o Gemara Rabbinic rulings and discussions. Comprised of Mishnah and Gemara. Originally the Oral Law and Written Law, then become All now written down Written Law. The Oral Law was needed to ensure the people knew Mishnah how to fully observe the Laws of Torah. The Talmud “Whoever destroys a single life is states how to Keep the Sabbath, including Lighting considered as if he had destroyed the candles. whole world, and whoever saves a single life as if he had saved the  Din, binding customs, like wearing a kippar for whole world” men. Jewish Law continues to develop through Rabbinic Responsa, required to meet the needs of modern life.

 The place of worship in In Judaism prayer can take place anywhere. There are the home and of private blessings for everything. Shabbat provides a place for family worship around the prayer table, before and after meals, lighting candles, blessing children. Shema Private prayers such the Shema, recited evening and 2 x daily affirmation; 4 Hear (listen/internalise) O Israel, morning; “When you sit in your house, when you walk by Adonai (God) is our God, Adonai the way, when you rise up and when you lie down”. (God) is One There are special Morning Blessings (Birchot HaShachar) when you wake up, realise you are alive, thank God that everything works and God has restored your soul to you.

 The significance of prayer Prayer is the communication method of people to God. in Jewish worship Through prayer petitions can reach God. Shema – Hear (or listen, internalise) including Amidah – the Private petitions are heard during the week, within The standing prayer Amidah Prayer (Ha Tefillah) the Standing Prayer, or 18 Benedictions. Personal petitions are not included on the Sabbath, as even God rests on the holy day.  The role of rituals: birth . Rituals can be comforting as people know how to behave, ceremonies; Bar and Bat what to do and what to expect. They are based around life cycle events like Birth, Marriage and the Bar/Bat Mitzvah Mitzvah; marriage; Bar/Bat Mitzvah Jewish children reach the age of mourning rituals responsibility at 13 for taking on the responsibilities of the 613 Mitzvot in the Torah. Orthodox tradition says girls are Birth rituals: responsible aged 12. Usually marked by reading from the Boys – Brit Milah, Circumcision Torah to the community. Girls – Brit Ha Bah – Welcome to the Mourning rituals include the mourners sitting at home on community blessing in synagogue low chairs after the funeral and being fed and attended for 7 days (shiva) by friends and family. They do not work. Bar/Bat Mitzvah rituals – Read from Special Shiva prayers are said in the home. Some people the Torah to the community on rent the corner of their garments (from the Story of Jacob Shabbat (Orthodox girls will write a when he is told that Joseph has been killed by wild D’Var Torah on a passage of Torah animals) that they have studied. Usually held Marriage rituals include the couple standing under the after the main service on Shabbat or Chupah (marriage canopy) with their parents either side, in on Sunday afternoon. front of the community. There are seven blessings bestowed upon the Bride and Groom and the marriage Kiddushin - Marriage ceremonies take certificate, a document called a Ketubah, pre-written and place under a Chuppah (Marriage terms of settlement should the marriage fail are included, Canopy) (Gen 2:24) is read out loud. The plain gold ring is placed on the Brides finger as a sign of the betrothal, some couples exchange Mourning rituals include; rings, and the couple drink from the same cup of wine Burying the person (in a Jewish twice. They finish the ceremony when the Bridegroom cemetery) within 24 hours if possible smashes a glass with his foot. Reform and Progressive also have cremations Someone must sit with the body from death to burial, an honour for a family member. Special Shiva (Mourning) Prayers said in the home with the community for seven nights. 30 days mourning period (Sheloshim) are observed. Work is resumed. One year mourning period. The Headstone is set on the grave by the end of the year usually with a special ceremony and a memorial candle is lit at home.  The importance of Shabbat is the holiest day of the week and of all the Shabbat in the home and festivals. Family and friends come together on Friday evening to synagogue light candles, sanctify the wine and challah (special braided bread) and share a meal and sing songs. Remember the Sabbath day Services are held in synagogue beforehand. to keep it Holy Shabbat morning services are held and the Torah portion of the week is read. After the service the community 5 gathers to say Kiddush (sanctification) prayers over the bread and wine before going home for lunch. A third meal is served on Shabbat in honour of the Sabbath. The end of Shabbat is marked by a beautiful ceremony called Havdallah, with wine, spices to smell, songs and a special plaited candle which takes place when three stars can be seen in the sky.

Delicious Challah!  The origins and meaning Rosh Hashanah – Head of the Year, or Birthday of the of festivals such as Rosh World. A joyous yet serious holy day marked by going to synagogue and sharing meals with friends and family, like Hashanah, Yom Kippur, a big Shabbat. This marks the beginning of 10 days of Pesach, Shavuot and serious self -reflection, trying to be a better person, saying  Sukkot sorry for things we have done to others personally and to God, individually and collectively.

Yom Kippur – Day of Atonement, 25 hour fast, stay in synagogue and pray all day. This is an entire day of self- reflection and communal praying. A sick person is forbidden to fast if it will impair their recovery and health (Pikuach Nefesh) Belief that, On Rosh Hashanah it is written, on Yom Kippur it is sealed (our sins) Blessings include Shana Tova (Happy New Year), and May you be sealed in the Book of Life for a good Year. Apples are dipped in Honey for a sweet New Year on Rosh Hashanah

On Yom Kippur a Shofar (Ram’s horn) Three Harvest Festivals is blown in synagogue as a Call to In Biblical times pilgrimages where made to the Temple in Prayer and Repentance Jerusalem with offerings of the First Fruits and best of the Harvest for God as God created everything.

Sukkot – Fruit, Feast of Weeks (4-5 days after Yom Kippur) The third Harvest Festival, celebrated with joy (Lev 23). You shall dwell in booths for 7 days (Lev 23) This is a reminder of the wandering in the desert after the Exodus from Egypt when the Israelites lived in temporary dwellings. Jews will build Sukkot and decorate the roof with fresh cut boughs of green and hanging fruit. The roof must be open to the stars. The 7 Patriarchs are invited to dwell each one a different day (Ushpizin) and the walls of Building a Sukkah on Sukkot the sukkah are decorated with their pictures or signs. All meals are eaten here for a week. Special Blessings are recited for sitting in the Sukkah, Sustaining us and bringing us to this new season. The first and second for Orthodox and last day (2 for Orthodox) of the festival are holy days of rest and praying in synagogue, no work is done.

Pesach – Feast of Unleavened Bread (Chag Ha Matzot) Barley Harvest, beginning of the Religious Year, First Harvest Festival 6 Celebrated for 8 days, no work done on first and last days. Recalls the story of the Exodus from Egypt. Story in Book of Exodus. Any chametz (leaven) is removed from the house and only Matzah and special foods Kosher for Passover are eaten. Festival demonstrates God’s love for the Children of Israel and God’s power, by taking them out of slavery. The Seder - A special service is held at home from a book called the Haggadah, retelling the story of the Exodus from Egypt and celebrated with Four glasses of wine, eating Matzah and other symbolic foods and a special meal with friends and family is enjoyed as free people.

Shavuot – Feast of Weeks, Festival of First Fruits, Seder plate with special Wheat Harvest, 2nd Harvest Festival symbolic Passover foods Celebrated for one (2 for Othodox) days 7 week period counted from Pesach to Shavuot, called Counting the Omer. A special blessing is recited every day Moses received the Ten for the 49 days of the Omer. Commandments from God on Mt The 1st night of Shavuot is spent studying through the night Sinai on Shavuot called Tikkun Leyl Shavuot. Synagogue services are held the following morning where the Book of Ruth is read.

Shavuot First Fruits

 The importance of the The synagogue is the heart of the community. synagogue; religious House of Prayer, House of Study, House of Assembly. features of synagogues Religious features include: including design, artefacts  Main prayer hall and associated practices  Aron Kodesh (Holy Ark or cupboard) where the Torah scrolls are kept  The Torah is dressed in fine robes like a Sovereign, with a crown or bells, a Yad (or hand) to point to the words when reading, and a breast plate to protect it.  The Ner Tamid (Everlasting Light) hangs from the ceiling above the Ark.  The Bimah (stage) holds the reading desk where the Torah is read using a special pointer called a Yad (hand)  In Orthodox communities men and women sit separately. The women may sit upstairs or downstairs behind a special screen. In Reform communities everyone sits together. 7  Certain special prayers are recited facing East The Everlasting Light (Ner Tamid) where the ancient Temple in Jerusalem stood. hanging in front of the Holy Ark (Aron  Some Orthodox synagogues will have a Mikveh, Kodesh) in the synagogue ritual bath.  Some have stained glass windows but synagogues are not adorned with pictures of images of how we might think of the image of God. Neither are there pictures of the Prophets.  The synagogue kitchen will be Kosher, separating milk and meat products.  The rest of the community building will hold offices, Youth spaces and classrooms and the Library

 The role of dietary laws: Kosher Food – from the Laws of Kashrut meaning kosher and trefah, separate, from Torah separation of milk and Part of being a Holy people means adhering to Laws. meat Meat must be from a Kosher animal (cloven hoof and chew the cud), ritually slaughtered by a trained Schochet and must be koshered by soaking in salt water before cooking as there must be no blood in the meat or fish. Fish must have fins and scales. There can be no bugs or insects on fruit or vegetables. Milk and meat must be strictly separated including the utensils, pots, pans, cutlery and crockery and anything used to prepare or service must be separate for Dairy and meat. Some people separate Parev foods (neither milk nor meat such as eggs). Kosher meat is bought from a Kosher butcher or in sealed containers supplied from Kosher butchers to some supermarkets. No product from a non-kosher animal can be used (including gelatine.) Kosher food is identified by the Rabbinic authority stamp of Kashrut.