Principal Beliefs (HSC SSCE Studies of Religion): Revision Notes
Principal Beliefs
Judaism is founded upon several core beliefs that define the relationship between God and the Jewish people. These beliefs shape Jewish identity, practice, and ethical conduct. Understanding these principal beliefs is essential for grasping the theological foundations of Judaism.
The principal beliefs of Judaism are interconnected and mutually reinforcing. Each belief builds upon and supports the others, creating a comprehensive theological framework that has guided Jewish life for millennia.
Belief in one God
The Shema
The Shema is the most fundamental declaration of Jewish faith. It is recited twice daily by observant Jews and represents the essence of Jewish monotheism. The prayer begins with a passage from Deuteronomy 6:4:
"Hear, O Israel: the Lord our God, the Lord is one."
This statement establishes Judaism as a strictly monotheistic religion. The Shema consists of three Torah passages and serves as a constant reminder of God's unity and singularity. For Jewish people, this prayer affirms their commitment to worshipping one God alone, rejecting polytheism and idolatry.
The Shema is not merely a statement of belief but a lived declaration. By reciting it twice daily, Jewish people continually reaffirm their fundamental commitment to monotheism and their covenant relationship with God.
The significance of monotheism
Jewish monotheism is absolute. Unlike ancient religions that worshipped multiple deities, Judaism maintains that there is only one God who created and sustains the universe. This belief distinguishes Judaism from the polytheistic traditions that surrounded the ancient Israelites and remains central to Jewish identity today.
The attributes of God
Understanding God's nature
Jewish theology describes God through several key attributes that define His relationship with creation and humanity. These characteristics help believers understand the nature of the divine.
Omnipotent: God possesses all power. There are no limits to what God can accomplish. This attribute emphasises God's supreme authority over all creation.
Omnipresent: God exists everywhere at all times. No place or moment is beyond God's presence. This belief assures adherents that God is always accessible.
Omniscient: God knows everything. Past, present, and future are all known to God. This complete knowledge includes human thoughts, actions, and intentions.
Justice: God embodies ultimate justice. His judgements are fair and righteous, even when humans cannot fully comprehend them.
God as personal and non-material
Unlike many ancient conceptions of deity, the God of Judaism is personal. God interacts with the world and with human beings, as evidenced in Genesis 1:26. This personal nature means God is not distant or indifferent but actively engaged with creation.
Avoiding Material Representation
Judaism strictly avoids any material representation of God. This prohibition reflects the understanding that God transcends physical form. Unlike the gods of ancient civilisations who were depicted in statues and images, the God of Judaism cannot be confined to material representation. This fundamental distinction separates Judaism from the polytheistic traditions of the ancient world.
However, Judaism strictly avoids any material representation of God. This prohibition reflects the understanding that God transcends physical form. Unlike the gods of ancient civilisations who were depicted in statues and images, the God of Judaism cannot be confined to material representation. This is fundamentally different from the polytheistic traditions of the ancient world.
Historical development of understanding
Jewish understanding of God has evolved over time. In Hebrew scripture, God may be described in three ways:
- As the clan-God of Abraham and his descendants
- As the God of the Land of Israel, linked to the Covenant
- As the universal God, creator of the universe
Today, Jewish people embrace the universal understanding while acknowledging that their ancestors gradually recognised God's full attributes over time. This progressive recognition reflects the developing relationship between God and the Jewish people throughout history.
Divinely inspired moral law
The 613 commandments
Judaism's sacred texts, particularly the Torah, contain detailed moral and religious laws. Rabbinic tradition identifies 613 commandments within the Torah. These laws govern every aspect of life, from ritual practice to ethical conduct.
Orthodox perspective: Orthodox Jews believe these commandments were directly revealed by God to Moses at Mount Sinai. They are therefore divine in origin and carry absolute authority.
Non-Orthodox perspective: Progressive and Conservative Jews view the laws as divinely inspired rather than directly dictated. They believe human beings, inspired by God, composed the Torah. This interpretation allows for greater flexibility in applying ancient laws to modern circumstances.
Practical application: Not all 613 commandments apply to modern life. Some laws related to Temple worship, agricultural practices, or social structures no longer have direct relevance. However, the moral and ethical principles underlying these laws remain significant.
The Noahide Laws
While the 613 commandments apply specifically to Jewish people, Judaism recognises seven universal laws that bind all humanity. These are called the Noahide Laws, recorded in the Talmud (Sanhedrin 56):
- Prohibition of idolatry: All people must reject false gods and worship
- Prohibition of murder: Human life is sacred and must not be taken unlawfully
- Prohibition of theft: Property rights must be respected
- Prohibition of sexual promiscuity: Adultery and incest are forbidden
- Prohibition of taking God's name lightly: God's name must be treated with reverence
- Prohibition of cruelty to animals: All creatures deserve humane treatment
- Requirement to establish a legal system: Societies must maintain justice through law
Universal Morality
These seven laws represent Judaism's understanding of universal morality. They apply to Jewish and non-Jewish people alike, establishing a baseline of ethical conduct for all humanity. Some religious traditions, such as Christianity, accept the Ten Commandments and view the Noahide Laws as a subset of this broader moral code.
Prophetic teachings on moral law
The eighth-century BCE prophets emphasised the importance of moral law in society. They challenged what they perceived as lawlessness and immorality in their communities. One of the most significant prophetic statements comes from Micah 6:8:
"It hath been told thee, O man, what is good, And what the Lord doth require of thee: Only to do justly, and to love mercy, and to walk humbly with thy God."
This passage distils moral law into three essential principles: justice, mercy, and humility before God. It demonstrates that Jewish ethics extend beyond ritual observance to encompass how people treat one another.
Hillel's summary
Rabbi Hillel, a first-century CE scholar, provided another famous summary of Jewish moral law. When challenged to explain the Torah while standing on one foot, he stated:
"That which is hateful to you, do not do to your fellow. This is the whole Torah; the rest is commentary. Go and learn." (Babylonian Talmud Shabbat 31a)
This teaching, often called the "Silver Rule", emphasises the reciprocal nature of moral behaviour. It suggests that all of Torah's detailed laws ultimately serve the purpose of promoting ethical treatment of others. Hillel's formulation has influenced ethical thinking both within and beyond Judaism.
The idea of the Covenant
Definition and significance
The Covenant (Brit in Hebrew) is a contractual agreement between God and the Jewish people. It is absolutely central to Jewish identity and the expression of Judaism. This Covenant establishes a unique, special relationship characterised by mutual obligations.
Leviticus 26:12 expresses the essence of this relationship:
"And I will walk among you, and will be your God, and ye shall be My people."
This passage captures the intimacy and reciprocity of the Covenant. God promises to remain present among the people, while the people accept God as their sole deity.
Connection to Abraham
The Abrahamic Foundation
The Covenant established at Mount Sinai represents a renewal and fulfilment of the earlier covenant between God and Abraham. When God called Abraham to leave his homeland, a covenant was formed promising that Abraham's descendants would become a great nation. The Sinai Covenant builds upon this earlier agreement, providing the detailed framework through which the relationship would be expressed.
Practical implications
The Covenant is not merely theoretical. It requires concrete expression through specific aspects of life:
Dietary laws (kashrut): The Jewish people maintain distinctive food practices that reflect their covenant relationship with God. These laws distinguish kosher from non-kosher foods and govern food preparation.
Ethical standards: The Covenant demands high moral and ethical conduct. The commandments and prophetic teachings provide guidance for treating others justly and mercifully.
Ritual observance: Various religious practices, from Sabbath observance to festival celebrations, express the covenant relationship.
These practical requirements serve to confirm and maintain the special relationship between God and the Hebrew people. They create a distinctive way of life that constantly reminds Jewish people of their covenant obligations.
Exam guidance
Examination Strategies
When describing principal beliefs, clearly define key terms (e.g., monotheism, Covenant) and provide specific examples such as the Shema or Noahide Laws.
When explaining these beliefs, demonstrate how they connect to each other. For instance, explain how the Covenant relationship shapes the understanding of moral law, or how belief in one God influences Jewish ethics.
When analysing or evaluating, consider different perspectives (Orthodox vs Progressive interpretations) and assess the impact of these beliefs on Jewish practice and identity. Use specific textual references to support your arguments.
Key Points to Remember:
- The Shema declares belief in one God and is recited twice daily
- God is understood as omnipotent (all-powerful), omnipresent (everywhere), and omniscient (all-knowing)
- The Torah contains 613 commandments; Orthodox Jews view them as divine, while Progressive Jews see them as divinely inspired
- The seven Noahide Laws apply to all humanity, not just Jewish people
- The Covenant is a contractual relationship between God and the Jewish people, requiring ethical conduct and ritual observance
Key Terms:
- Shema – Declaration of faith in one God
- Omnipotent – All powerful
- Omnipresent – All present
- Omniscient – All knowing
- Noahide Laws – Seven universal laws for all humanity
- Covenant – Contractual agreement between God and the Jewish people
- Torah – Judaism's foundational sacred text containing the law
Critical Quotations:
- "Hear, O Israel: the Lord our God, the Lord is one" (Deuteronomy 6:4)
- "Only to do justly, and to love mercy, and to walk humbly with thy God" (Micah 6:8)
- "That which is hateful to you, do not do to your fellow" (Hillel)