Judaism: beliefs and teachings · GCSE Religious Studies

The nature of God

Jews believe God is one, as declared in the Shema (Deuteronomy 6:4). God is the creator, the law-giver and the judge, and is loving and merciful. Many Jews write 'G-d' out of respect for God's name.
The Shekhinah is God's divine presence on Earth, as in the Tabernacle and the Temple.

Judaism focuses more on how to live this life than on the afterlife, and beliefs vary. Many Jews believe in judgement and in Gan Eden (paradise); some speak of Sheol as a place of waiting; some believe the dead will be resurrected when the Messiah comes.
The Messiah ('anointed one') will be a descendant of King David who will bring peace, rebuild the Temple and gather the Jewish people in Israel. Orthodox Jews generally expect a personal Messiah; many Reform Jews think of a Messianic age that people help to bring about. Jews do not believe Jesus was the Messiah.

The covenant with Abraham: God promised him land, many descendants and a special relationship. Circumcision (brit milah) is its sign (Genesis 17).
The covenant at Sinai: God gave Moses the Torah, including the Ten Commandments (Exodus 20). The Jewish people became God's chosen people, with responsibilities to keep his laws.

The Torah contains 613 mitzvot (commandments): 248 positive and 365 negative. Some concern the relationship with God; others concern how to treat people.
Pikuach nefesh: saving a life overrides almost all other laws, including the laws of Shabbat.
Other key ideas: free will, justice (tzedek), charity (tzedakah) and healing the world (tikkun olam).

Shema: The Jewish declaration that God is one.
Shekhinah: The divine presence of God on Earth.
Messiah: 'Anointed one': a future leader who will bring peace.
Covenant: An agreement between God and people.
Torah: The first five books of the Hebrew Bible, containing God's laws.
Mitzvot: The commandments in the Torah.
Pikuach nefesh: The principle that saving a life overrides most other laws.
Tikkun olam: Healing or repairing the world.
Brit milah: The circumcision of baby boys, the sign of the covenant with Abraham.