What you'll learn
This revision guide covers the essential beliefs about God in Judaism and key concepts that underpin the Jewish faith. You'll examine the nature of God as understood through Jewish scripture and tradition, including God's characteristics, the importance of monotheism, and the covenant relationship between God and the Jewish people. These foundational concepts are frequently tested in CIE IGCSE Religious Studies examinations.
Key terms and definitions
Monotheism — The belief in one God; Judaism was the first major monotheistic religion, rejecting polytheism and idolatry.
Shema — The central declaration of Jewish faith found in Deuteronomy 6:4-9, beginning "Hear O Israel, the Lord is our God, the Lord is One."
Covenant — A sacred agreement or promise between God and the Jewish people, establishing mutual obligations and a special relationship.
Omnipotent — All-powerful; God has unlimited power and authority over creation.
Omniscient — All-knowing; God possesses complete and perfect knowledge of all things past, present and future.
Omnipresent — Present everywhere simultaneously; God exists in all places at all times.
Transcendent — Beyond and outside the physical universe; God exists above and separate from creation.
Immanent — Present and active within the world; God is involved in human affairs and accessible to believers.
Core concepts
The oneness of God (monotheism)
The fundamental principle of Judaism is the belief in one God. This concept distinguishes Judaism from ancient polytheistic religions and remains central to Jewish identity.
The Shema articulates this belief clearly: "Hear O Israel, the Lord is our God, the Lord is One" (Deuteronomy 6:4). Religious Jews recite the Shema twice daily, in morning and evening prayers, demonstrating its significance.
Key aspects of Jewish monotheism include:
- Rejection of idolatry: The worship of idols or multiple gods is strictly forbidden in the Ten Commandments ("You shall have no other gods before me")
- Indivisibility: God cannot be divided into parts or aspects; God is a unified, singular being
- Uniqueness: There is no other being like God; no comparison can adequately describe God's nature
- Universal sovereignty: The one God is the creator and ruler of the entire universe, not just a tribal or national deity
Jews reject the Christian concept of the Trinity, as they believe this compromises pure monotheism. The belief in one God shapes Jewish worship, ethics and daily life.
The characteristics of God
Judaism teaches that God possesses certain attributes that define the divine nature. These characteristics help Jews understand their relationship with God.
Omnipotence: God is all-powerful and can do anything that is logically possible. Evidence includes:
- Creation of the universe ex nihilo (from nothing) in Genesis
- Miracles such as parting the Red Sea during the Exodus
- The phrase "El Shaddai" (God Almighty) used in Hebrew scripture
Omniscience: God knows everything, including human thoughts and future events. This is demonstrated through:
- Prophetic revelations given to figures like Moses and Isaiah
- God's judgment, which requires perfect knowledge of human actions and intentions
- The belief that nothing can be hidden from God
Omnipresence: God is present everywhere simultaneously. Jews believe:
- God hears prayers wherever they are offered
- God's presence (Shekhinah) can be felt in sacred places and moments
- No place exists outside God's awareness or reach
Eternal: God has no beginning or end, existing outside time. The Hebrew name for God, "I AM WHO I AM" (Exodus 3:14), suggests eternal, unchanging existence.
Holy: God is perfectly good, pure and set apart from creation. Holiness represents moral perfection and the standard for human ethical behavior.
Just: God judges fairly and maintains moral order in the universe. The concept of divine justice underpins Jewish law and ethics.
Merciful: God shows compassion and forgiveness to those who repent. The High Holy Days emphasize God's mercy and willingness to forgive sin.
Transcendence and immanence
Judaism holds both concepts of God simultaneously, creating a dynamic understanding of the divine.
Transcendence means God is wholly other, beyond human comprehension and separate from the physical world:
- God is not physical and cannot be represented in images (Second Commandment)
- God's thoughts and ways are higher than human understanding (Isaiah 55:8-9)
- God exists outside the limitations of time, space and matter
- This prevents Jews from claiming complete knowledge of God's nature
Immanence means God is present and active within creation:
- God hears and answers prayers
- God intervened in history, particularly during the Exodus
- The Shekhinah (divine presence) dwells among the Jewish people
- God continues to guide humanity through Torah and conscience
- This assures Jews that God cares about human affairs and remains accessible
The balance between these concepts ensures Jews maintain reverence for God's majesty whilst believing in a personal relationship with the divine. God is simultaneously "far" and "near."
The covenant relationship
The covenant (Hebrew: brit) represents the foundation of the relationship between God and the Jewish people. It establishes mutual obligations and defines Jewish identity.
Key covenants in Judaism:
Covenant with Abraham (Genesis 15, 17):
- God promised Abraham descendants and land (Canaan/Israel)
- Abraham and his descendants would worship the one God
- Sign: circumcision (brit milah) for all males on the eighth day after birth
- Established the Jewish people as God's chosen people
Mosaic Covenant (Exodus 19-24):
- Given at Mount Sinai through Moses
- God gave the Torah, including the Ten Commandments
- Jews agreed to follow God's laws
- Made explicit the ethical and ritual obligations of the Jewish people
- Established Israel as "a kingdom of priests and a holy nation"
Significance of the covenant:
- Creates a special, chosen relationship (Jews as "the chosen people")
- Provides purpose and identity to the Jewish community
- Establishes obligations: Jews must follow the 613 mitzvot (commandments) in the Torah
- Unconditional in one sense: God will not abandon the Jewish people
- Conditional in another: blessings depend on obedience (Deuteronomy 28)
- Communal: the covenant applies to the entire Jewish people, not just individuals
The covenant explains Jewish practices, from dietary laws (kashrut) to Sabbath observance, as fulfillment of obligations to God.
God as creator and sustainer
Judaism teaches that God created the universe and continues to sustain it.
Creation beliefs:
- God created everything ex nihilo (from nothing) through divine will and speech
- Genesis 1 describes creation occurring over six days, with God resting on the seventh (origin of Shabbat)
- Humans were created "in the image of God" (Genesis 1:27), giving them dignity and moral responsibility
- Creation was declared "very good," establishing the fundamental goodness of the physical world
Ongoing sustenance:
- God didn't simply create and withdraw; God actively maintains creation
- Prayers thank God for daily provisions, acknowledging dependence on divine providence
- Natural laws reflect God's wisdom and order
- The regularity of nature demonstrates God's faithfulness
Jews express gratitude for creation through:
- Sabbath rest, commemorating God's rest after creation
- Blessings (brachot) before eating, thanking God for food
- Treating the environment responsibly as God's creation
Some modern Jews interpret Genesis creation accounts symbolically, accepting scientific explanations like evolution whilst maintaining that God initiated and guides the process.
God as lawgiver and judge
God's role as lawgiver establishes moral standards, whilst God's role as judge ensures accountability.
God as lawgiver:
- Gave the Torah to Moses at Mount Sinai, containing 613 commandments
- The Torah provides comprehensive guidance for Jewish life, covering ethics, worship, diet, family relations and social justice
- The Ten Commandments form the core ethical principles
- Divine law reflects God's wisdom and concern for human flourishing
- Following God's law brings the individual and community closer to holiness
God as judge:
- God judges individuals and nations based on their actions
- Judgment occurs throughout life and after death
- Emphasis on moral behavior and treatment of others
- The High Holy Days (Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur) focus on divine judgment and repentance
- God's justice is tempered by mercy; sincere repentance (teshuvah) brings forgiveness
This dual role establishes a moral universe where actions have consequences, but also where redemption is possible. Jews believe:
- Justice will ultimately prevail
- Human beings have free will to choose obedience or disobedience
- God desires righteousness, not punishment
- The righteous will be rewarded, though views on afterlife vary
Personal relationship with God
Despite God's transcendence, Judaism emphasizes a personal relationship with God.
Prayer: Jews pray three times daily (morning, afternoon, evening), communicating directly with God. Prayer includes:
- Praise and thanksgiving
- Requests for personal and communal needs
- Confession and repentance
- Study and meditation on God's word
Trust in God: Jews are encouraged to trust in God's goodness and providence, even during suffering. The Psalms express this trust through various circumstances.
Love for God: The Shema commands Jews to "love the Lord your God with all your heart, soul and strength" (Deuteronomy 6:5). This love should motivate obedience and devotion.
Fear/awe of God: "Fear of the Lord" (yirah) means reverence and awe, not terror. It recognizes God's holiness and power, leading to humility and obedience.
Obedience: Following mitzvot demonstrates love for God and maintains the covenant relationship. Obedience isn't burdensome but a privilege and joy.
The personal relationship balances formality (structured prayers, rituals) with intimacy (spontaneous prayer, devotion). Jews believe God knows each person individually and cares about their wellbeing.
Worked examples
Example 1: Part (a) question (2 marks)
Question: What is meant by the term 'monotheism'?
Model answer: Monotheism is the belief in one God (1 mark). Judaism teaches that there is only one God who created and rules the universe (1 mark).
Examiner note: Define the term clearly in the first sentence, then provide additional detail or context for the second mark. Avoid simply repeating the definition.
Example 2: Part (b) question (4 marks)
Question: Describe the covenant between God and Abraham.
Model answer:
The covenant between God and Abraham is found in Genesis chapters 15 and 17 (1 mark). God promised Abraham that he would have many descendants (1 mark) and that they would inherit the land of Canaan (1 mark). In return, Abraham and his descendants would worship the one God, and all males would be circumcised as a sign of the covenant (1 mark).
Examiner note: Aim for four distinct points with supporting detail. Include specific scripture references where possible and explain both what God promised and what was expected in return.
Example 3: Part (c) question (8 marks)
Question: Explain the importance of belief in God's omnipotence for Jews today.
Model answer:
Belief in God's omnipotence is important for Jews because it assures them that God has the power to answer their prayers (1 mark). When Jews pray three times daily or make special requests, they trust that God is capable of responding to their needs (1 mark).
God's omnipotence also means that Jews believe nothing is impossible for God (1 mark). This gave Jews hope during the Holocaust and other periods of persecution, believing God could deliver them as God delivered their ancestors from slavery in Egypt (1 mark).
Furthermore, belief in God's all-powerful nature underpins Jewish worship (1 mark). The phrase "El Shaddai" meaning "God Almighty" is used in prayers and expresses recognition of God's supreme power (1 mark).
Finally, God's omnipotence validates the covenant relationship (1 mark). Only an all-powerful God could create the universe, establish laws for humanity, and judge all people fairly, making Jewish obligations meaningful and significant (1 mark).
Examiner note: For 8-mark "explain" questions, develop 3-4 distinct points with detailed explanation. Use religious terminology accurately and provide specific examples from Jewish practice or belief.
Common mistakes and how to avoid them
Confusing transcendence and immanence: Remember that Judaism teaches both simultaneously. God is both beyond the universe (transcendent) and present within it (immanent). Don't suggest Jews believe only one or the other.
Treating "chosen people" as superiority: The concept means Jews have special responsibilities and obligations, not that they are better than others. Being chosen relates to the covenant and mission to follow God's law, not racial or moral superiority.
Describing God in physical terms: Judaism strictly prohibits representing God in images or physical forms. Avoid saying God has a body, face, or location. Use appropriate theological language about God's nature.
Oversimplifying monotheism: Don't just state "Jews believe in one God" without explaining why this matters or how it differs from polytheism. Connect monotheism to the Shema, rejection of idolatry, and its impact on worship.
Ignoring the significance of practices: When discussing God's characteristics, connect them to actual Jewish practice. For example, link God's justice to Yom Kippur observance or God's role as creator to Shabbat.
Mixing up different covenants: The Abrahamic covenant focuses on descendants and land; the Mosaic covenant centers on Torah and law. Be specific about which covenant you're discussing and its particular terms.
Exam technique for "The nature of God and key beliefs in Judaism"
Command words matter: "Describe" (4 marks) requires factual detail without evaluation; "Explain" (8 marks) requires showing why or how something is important; "Evaluate" (15 marks) requires weighing up different views with a reasoned judgment.
Use accurate terminology: Incorporate terms like monotheism, covenant, omnipotent, transcendent, Shema, Torah, and mitzvot. This demonstrates knowledge and earns marks for specialist vocabulary.
Quote scripture appropriately: Brief, relevant quotations from Tenakh (Hebrew Bible) strengthen answers, particularly the Shema, Genesis creation accounts, and covenant passages. Always explain the quotation's significance rather than letting it stand alone.
Balance breadth and depth: For longer answers, it's better to develop fewer points thoroughly than to make many superficial points. Aim for 3-4 well-explained points in 8-mark questions, each with supporting detail and examples from Jewish practice.
Quick revision summary
Judaism is fundamentally monotheistic, expressed through the Shema's declaration of one God. God possesses key characteristics: omnipotence (all-powerful), omniscience (all-knowing), omnipresence (everywhere), eternality, holiness, justice and mercy. God is both transcendent (beyond creation) and immanent (present in the world). The covenant relationship, particularly with Abraham and Moses, defines Jewish identity and obligations. God created and sustains the universe, gave the Torah as law, judges humanity fairly, yet offers forgiveness through repentance. Jews maintain a personal relationship with God through prayer, obedience to mitzvot, and trust in divine providence.