The Absolute

1. The Absolute • The creed of Judaism, the Shema: • “Hear, O Israel! The Lord is our God, the Lord alone. You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your might.” • Most sacred part of the Bible, the Torah • The Torah presents a very advanced concept of God • Expresses the nature of the Lord in the analogy of a person • Emphasizes covenant with God

2. Rambam’s Thirteen Principles of Faith 1. G-d exists 2. G-d is one and unique 3. G-d is incorporeal 4. Prayer is to be directed to G-d alone 5. The words of the prophets are true 6. Moses' prophecies are true, and Moses was the greatest of prophets 8. The Written Torah and the Oral Torah were given to Moses 9. There will be no other Torah 10. G-d knows the thoughts and deeds of men 11. G-d will reward the good and punish the wicked 12. The Messiah will come 13. The dead will be resurrected

3. The Nature of G-d • G-d exists • Proof is not needed • Torah begins by stating “In the beginning, G-d created…” • G-d is a necessary prerequisite for the existence of the universe

4. The Nature of G-d (cont.) • G-d is one • The Shema • There is only one G-d (no other being participated in the work of creation) • G-d is a unity. He is a single, whole, complete indivisible entity • G-d is the only being to whom we should offer praise

5. The Nature of G-d (cont.) • G-d is the Creator of Everything • Everything in the universe was created by G-d and only G-d • Rejects the notion that evil was created by Satan or some other deity • All comes from G-d

6. The Nature of G-d (cont.) • G-d is Incorporeal • G-d has no body • Any reference to G-d’s body is simply a figure of speech • Can not represent G-d in the physical form

7. The Nature of G-d (cont.) • G-d is neither male or female • G-d has no body, therefore no genitalia

8. The Nature of G-d (cont.) • G-d is Omnipresent • G-d is in all places at all times • G-d fills the universe and exceeds its scope • Not just the G-d of the Jews, but the G-d of all nations

9. The Nature of G-d (cont.) • G-d is Omnipotent • G-d can do anything • The only thing beyond his power is the fear of him • We have free will, and he cannot compel us to do his will

10. The Nature of G-d (cont.) • G-d is Omniscient • G-d knows all things • Past, present, and future • He knows our thoughts

11. The Nature of G-d (cont.) • G-d is Eternal • G-d transcends time • Has no beginning and no end • He will always be there to fulfill his promises

12. The Nature of G-d (cont.) • G-d is both Just and Merciful • G-d’s justice is tempered by mercy • Perfect balance between G-d’s quality of justice and his quality of mercy

13. The Nature of G-d (cont.) • G-d is Holy and Perfect • “Ha-Kadosh, Barukh Hu” • The Holy One, Blessed be He

14. The World • The Genesis account of creation establishes the theme of the relationship God and the world • The universe is subordinate to God and dependent on him • Everything together is good • The phenomenal universe is not God, but it is evidence for God’s creative power and love

15. The World (cont.) • The universe was made for humans • It is to be enjoyed with gratitude during a long life • Human suffering is not attributed to the created nature of the universe • Judaism rejects any worldview that sees nature as evil

16. The World • The phenomenal world is God’s world • He is present in the heavens, in the earth, and in the place of shadows under the earth • The world is other than God, but not opposed to God • When humans act responsibly to God they can enjoy the bounty of the earth

17. Humans • Problems for Humans • Solution for Humans • Major Figures

18. Major Figures • Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob • Both known as the patriarchs • Both the physical and spiritual ancestors of Judaism

19. Abraham • Born under the name Abram • One true creator that Abraham worshiped called on him, made him an offer • If he left his home/family, God would make him a great nation & bless him • Accepted this offer (covenant was established)

20. Isaac • Ancestor of the Jewish people • Was to be sacrificed by Abraham as a gift to God • Supposedly he knew he was to be sacrificed, but did not resist • Sons were Jacob and Esau

21. Jacob • Angel blessed Jacob and gave him the name “Israel” • Jewish people are generally referred to as the Children of Israel signifying their descent from Jacob • Fathered 12 sons, 1 daughter, and had 4 wives

22. Moses • Greatest prophet, leader, and teacher Judaism has ever known • Completed writing of the first 5 books of the Bible (Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, Deuteronomy) • 120 yrs old at the time of his death • Was not himself the deliverer of Israel

23. Humans • Described as God’s highest creations • Created in the image and likeness of God • Each is a soul and body united • Created for fellowship with God • Humans are responsible • Part of the covenant people of God

24. The Problem for Humans • Being involved in sinful acts • Torah describes the creation of Adam and Eve, and their rebellion against God • Exclusion from the Garden of Eden accounts for miseries and frustrations humans must endure

25. The Solution for Humans • Compliance with the covenant • Cease sinful acts • Help is sought from priests and God • Belief in the Messiah, the savior

26. The Hebrew Bible • The Bible is the foundation on which a Jewish life is built. • The complete Jewish Bible is called the Tanakh. • The most important part is the Torah. • Comprised of the first 5 books of the Bible

27. Conservative or Traditional view Bible is regarded as a document from God Seen as a reliable guide of God’s requirements and promises Liberal or Critical view Bible is a record of human encounters with God It is not the literal words of God Interpreting the Bible

28. Birth • Although soul exists before birth, human life begins at birth • Child is born pure • Immediately after birth, woman is sexually separated from her husband • There are no formal religious requirements for naming a child • Male circumcision

29. Bar Mitzvah/ Bat Mitzvah • Bar Mitzvah literally means “son of the commandment” • At age of 13 (12 for girls) children become obligated to observe the commandments • Jewish boys automatically becomes a Bar Mitzvah at age 13 • The popular bar mitzvah ceremony is not required

30. Marriage • Refraining from marriage is considered unnatural • Soul mate (Bashert) • Finding your bashert does not mean your marriage will be trouble free • 2 stages of the marriage process – kiddushin, nisuin • Kiddushin is commonly translated as betrothal • Nisuin is the full-fledged marriage

31. Wedding Ceremony • Customary for bride and groom not to see each other for a week preceding the wedding • Both fast the day before • The kiddushin is represented by the bride approaching and circling the groom • In the nisuin, the bride and groom stand beneath the chuppah

32. Jewish Attitudes Toward Sexual Actions • Sex is only permissible within the context of marriage • Having sex for selfish personal satisfaction, without regard for the partner’s pleasure, is wrong and evil • A couple may not have sexual relations while drunk or quarreling • It is a serious offense to use sex to punish or manipulate • Sex is the woman’s right, not the man’s

33. Life and Death • Life is valued above almost all else • Because it is so valuable, Jewish people are not permitted to do anything that may hasten death • Death is viewed as a natural process • A deceased person must not be cremated • Open casket ceremonies are forbidden by Jewish law

34. Mourning • When a close relative hears of the death of another relative, it is traditional to express initial grief by tearing one’s clothing • 4 periods of mourning • Aninut – from time of death to burial • Shiva – from day of burial to 7th day after burial • Shloshim – lasts until the 30th day after burial • Avelut – lasts for 12 months after the burial

35. Afterlife • Torah indicates in several places that the righteous will be reunited with their loved ones after death • Traditional Judaism believes in eventual resurrection of the dead in the messianic age • The spiritual afterlife is referred to as Olam Ha-Ba

36. Signs and Symbols • Mezuzah • Placed upon doorposts of house • Constant reminder of God’s presence and God’s commandments • Menorah • On of the oldest symbols of the Jewish faith

37. Signs and Symbols (cont.) • Magen David • Shield of David or Star of David • Most commonly associated symbol of Judaism today • There are different views of it’s symbolism • Today it appears on the flag of the state of Israel