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4. Outline three Jewish teachings about stewardship - Edexcel - GCSE Religious Studies B - Question 4 - 2019 - Paper 1
Question 4
4. Outline three Jewish teachings about stewardship. (c) Explain two reasons why Jews believe in life after death. (d) 'There are no acceptable Jewish arguments fo... show full transcript
Worked Solution & Example Answer:4. Outline three Jewish teachings about stewardship - Edexcel - GCSE Religious Studies B - Question 4 - 2019 - Paper 1
Step 1
Outline three Jewish teachings about stewardship.
Answer
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The Role of Humanity in Creation: In Jewish teaching, humans are viewed as caretakers of the Earth, as stated in Genesis 1:26-28. This emphasizes the responsibility to protect and sustain the environment.
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Tikkun Olam (Repairing the World): This principle encourages Jews to engage in social justice and environmental stewardship, promoting the idea that every action can contribute to a better world.
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Bal Tashchit (Do Not Destroy): This teaching prohibits wastefulness and encourages sustainable practices, aligning with the Jewish value of preserving resources for future generations.
Step 2
Explain two reasons why Jews believe in life after death.
Answer
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Beliefs Still Grounded in Scripture: The Jewish texts such as the Talmud suggest the existence of an afterlife, indicating that righteous individuals will experience a form of resurrection and reward. This offers comfort and hope for many believers.
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Moral Accountability: The belief in life after death reinforces the concept of moral responsibility in this life, as actions in the earthly life are believed to determine one's fate in the afterlife. This drives ethical behavior among adherents.
Step 3
'There are no acceptable Jewish arguments for euthanasia.' Evaluate this statement considering arguments for and against.
Answer
Arguments for the statement include:
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Sanctity of Life: Many Jews uphold the view, based on teachings from the Torah, that life is sacred and given by God. Therefore, ending a life intentionally is seen as contravening divine will.
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Value of Suffering: Some Jewish thought suggests that suffering has meaning and can serve a purposeful role in one's spiritual growth or healing process.
Arguments against the statement include:
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Compassion and Mercy: Some modern Jewish perspectives emphasize compassion, arguing that allowing a person to end their suffering through euthanasia can be viewed as a compassionate act, consistent with the Torah's values of caring for others.
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Autonomy and Dignity: Arguments also focus on the importance of individual choice, suggesting that respecting a person's wishes can align with Jewish values of dignity in suffering.
In conclusion, while traditional Jewish teachings heavily weigh against euthanasia, contemporary interpretations may provide a more nuanced view, allowing for some acceptance based on compassion and personal autonomy.