Judaism: Beliefs and Teachings

What you'll learn

This revision guide covers the essential beliefs and teachings in Judaism for Edexcel GCSE Religious Studies. You'll explore the nature of God, the covenant relationship between God and the Jewish people, the role of key figures like Abraham and Moses, beliefs about the Messiah and life after death, and the importance of moral principles. Everything here is directly linked to what examiners can test you on.

Key terms and definitions

Shema — The most important Jewish prayer, declaring belief in one God, recited twice daily: "Hear O Israel, the Lord is our God, the Lord is One"

Covenant — A binding agreement between God and the Jewish people, establishing mutual responsibilities and promises

Messiah — The 'anointed one' who Jews believe will bring peace and rebuild the Temple; Orthodox Jews believe the Messiah has not yet come

Mitzvot — The 613 commandments found in the Torah that govern Jewish life and practice

Sheol — The underworld or place of the dead in early Jewish belief; a shadowy existence for all souls

Pikuach Nefesh — The principle that saving a human life overrides almost all other religious obligations

Shekhinah — The divine presence of God that dwells among humanity, particularly felt in the Temple or synagogue

Messiah ben David — The Messianic figure who Orthodox Jews believe will be descended from King David and restore Israel

Core concepts

The nature of God

Judaism is strictly monotheistic — belief in one God is the foundation of Jewish faith. The Shema expresses this central conviction that there is only one God who created and sustains the universe.

God as One:

• The oneness of God (monotheism) distinguishes Judaism from polytheistic religions
• Genesis 1 describes God as the sole creator: "In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth"
• This belief developed as Abraham rejected the idolatry of his time
• Jews do not accept the Christian Trinity, as this contradicts God's absolute oneness

God as Creator:

• Genesis describes God creating the world in six days and resting on the seventh
• Humans are created "in the image of God" (Genesis 1:27), giving each person inherent dignity and worth
• Creation is ongoing — God continues to sustain the universe
• This belief grounds Jewish environmental responsibility and respect for all life

God as Lawgiver:

• God revealed the Torah to Moses at Mount Sinai
• The 613 mitzvot provide a framework for living a holy life
• The Ten Commandments (Aseret HaDibrot) are the foundation of Jewish law
• Following God's laws is not a burden but a privilege that sanctifies daily life

God as Judge:

• God judges individuals' actions and holds them accountable
• Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur are festivals focused on judgement and repentance
• The concept of reward and punishment motivates ethical behaviour
• God's judgement is balanced with mercy and compassion

Additional qualities of God:

• Omnipotent (all-powerful), omniscient (all-knowing), omnipresent (present everywhere)
• Eternal and beyond human understanding
• Transcendent (beyond the physical world) yet also immanent (involved in the world)
• Personal — Jews can have a relationship with God through prayer

The covenant and the chosen people

The covenant is the special relationship between God and the Jewish people, established through promises and obligations on both sides.

The Abrahamic Covenant:

• God made the first covenant with Abraham (Genesis 12, 15, 17)
• God promised Abraham descendants as numerous as the stars, land (Canaan/Israel), and that all nations would be blessed through him
• Abraham's responsibilities included circumcision (brit milah) as a sign of the covenant, and faithfulness to God
• This covenant passes through Isaac and Jacob to all Jewish people

The Mosaic Covenant:

• At Mount Sinai, God gave Moses the Torah and the Ten Commandments
• This covenant extended the relationship to the whole Israelite nation
• God promised to be their God and protect them
• The people agreed to follow the 613 mitzvot
• Breaking the covenant brings consequences, but God remains faithful

Chosen people:

• Jews believe they are chosen by God for a special purpose
• This does not mean superiority — it means responsibility
• The Jewish mission is to be "a light unto the nations" (Isaiah 49:6)
• Jews must maintain ethical standards and bring knowledge of God to the world
• Being chosen involves obligations, not just privileges
• Non-Jews can have a relationship with God by following the Noahide Laws

The sanctity of human life

Jewish teaching emphasises the supreme value of human life, based on the belief that humans are created in God's image.

Key principles:

• Each human life has infinite worth because all are created b'tzelem Elohim (in the image of God)
• Murder is forbidden by the Sixth Commandment
• Pikuach Nefesh allows most religious laws to be broken to save a life
• Only three laws cannot be broken even to save life: murder, idolatry, and forbidden sexual relations
• Active euthanasia is forbidden as it violates the sanctity of life
• Suicide is prohibited because life is a gift from God

Practical implications:

• Jews must work as doctors, volunteer with ambulance services, or help accident victims even on Shabbat
• Medical treatment is not only permitted but required
• Organ donation is encouraged as it saves lives
• The death penalty is theoretically permitted in Torah but virtually impossible to implement due to strict requirements for evidence

Free will, sin and repentance

Judaism teaches that humans have free will — the ability to choose between good and evil.

Free will (bechirah chofsheet):

• God gave humans the capacity to make moral choices
• This explains how humans can sin despite God's goodness
• The yetzer hara (evil inclination) and yetzer hatov (good inclination) compete within each person
• Free will makes moral behaviour meaningful — forced goodness has no value

Sin (chet):

• Sin means "missing the mark" — failing to fulfil God's commandments
• Sins against God require repentance to God
• Sins against other people require making amends to that person first, then repenting to God
• The Day of Atonement (Yom Kippur) is the holiest day for seeking forgiveness

Repentance (teshuvah):

• Teshuvah literally means "return" — returning to God and the right path
• Requires recognising the sin, feeling genuine remorse, confessing to God, and resolving not to repeat it
• The offended party must be asked for forgiveness (if sin was against a person)
• Maimonides taught that true repentance means not committing the same sin when the opportunity arises again
• God's mercy means sincere repentance is always accepted

The Messiah and the Messianic Age

Jewish beliefs about the Messiah differ significantly from Christian views and vary between Jewish denominations.

Orthodox beliefs:

• The Messiah will be a human descendant of King David
• He will rebuild the Temple in Jerusalem
• He will gather all Jews back to Israel
• He will usher in an age of peace when "nation shall not lift up sword against nation" (Isaiah 2:4)
• The Messiah has not yet come — Jews are still waiting
• Signs include the ingathering of exiles and universal knowledge of God
• Some believe the prophet Elijah will announce the Messiah's arrival

Reform beliefs:

• Many Reform Jews interpret the Messiah symbolically
• Rather than one individual, Jews collectively work toward a Messianic age
• Emphasise human responsibility to create a better world (tikkun olam — repairing the world)
• The Messianic age represents social justice, peace and human flourishing
• Less emphasis on supernatural intervention

The Messianic Age:

• Wars will cease and universal peace will reign
• The Temple will be rebuilt
• All people will recognise God
• The dead may be resurrected
• The wolf will lie down with the lamb (Isaiah 11)

Life after death

Jewish beliefs about the afterlife have developed over time and vary among denominations.

Biblical period:

• Early Hebrew Bible references are vague
• Sheol appears as an underworld where all souls go
• Emphasis was on living righteously in this life and being remembered by descendants

Later developments:

• Belief in resurrection of the dead developed, especially in Pharisaic Judaism
• The soul continues after physical death
• Orthodox Jews believe in bodily resurrection in the Messianic age
• Some Jews believe in Gan Eden (Garden of Eden/paradise) and Gehinnom (a place of spiritual purification)
• Gehinnom is not eternal hell but a temporary state (maximum 12 months) where souls are cleansed

Contemporary beliefs:

• Orthodox Jews generally believe in bodily resurrection and the immortality of the soul
• Reform Jews often focus on living ethically in this life rather than the afterlife
• Some Reform Jews interpret resurrection symbolically — living on through memory, children, and deeds
• Many Jews believe the righteous of all nations have a place in the World to Come (Olam Ha-Ba)

Burial practices reflecting beliefs:

• Bodies should be buried quickly (usually within 24 hours)
• Bodies are not cremated in Orthodox tradition (interferes with resurrection)
• Embalming is discouraged
• Simple burial respects the body as God's creation

Moral principles and ethics

Jewish ethics flow from Torah and are reinforced through prophetic teaching and rabbinic interpretation.

Justice (tzedek):

• "Justice, justice shall you pursue" (Deuteronomy 16:20)
• Fair legal systems, honest business practices, and social equality
• Protecting the vulnerable — widows, orphans, and strangers

Charity (tzedakah):

• Actually means "righteousness" not voluntary charity
• Giving to those in need is an obligation, not optional
• Maimonides identified eight levels of tzedakah, with the highest being helping someone become self-sufficient
• Jews traditionally give at least 10% of income

Kindness (chesed):

• Loving-kindness and mercy in relationships
• Going beyond strict legal requirements
• Visiting the sick, comforting mourners, welcoming guests

The Golden Rule:

• Rabbi Hillel taught: "What is hateful to you, do not do to your neighbour"
• Positive formulation: love your neighbour as yourself (Leviticus 19:18)
• Applies to all people, not just Jews

Worked examples

Example 1: 4-mark question

Explain two ways in which belief in the covenant influences Jews today.

Model answer:

One way belief in the covenant influences Jews is through the practice of circumcision. Male babies are circumcised on the eighth day of life in a ceremony called brit milah, which marks entry into the covenant that God made with Abraham. This continues the physical sign of the covenant relationship. (2 marks)

Another way is through observing the mitzvot given at Sinai. Jews follow the 613 commandments in the Torah because these were the responsibilities God gave them as part of the Mosaic covenant. For example, Orthodox Jews keep kosher dietary laws and observe Shabbat, fulfilling their covenant obligations. (2 marks)

Examiner note: Each way needs a clear explanation with development. Simply naming two practices without explaining the link to covenant would only earn 1 mark per point.

Example 2: 5-mark question

Explain two Jewish beliefs about the nature of God. Refer to sacred writings or another source of Jewish belief and teaching in your answer.

Model answer:

Jews believe God is the sole creator of the universe. Genesis 1:1 states "In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth," showing that God alone made everything. This means Jews believe everything depends on God for existence and that the natural world reflects God's power and wisdom. This belief leads Jews to treat creation with respect. (3 marks)

Jews also believe God is one. The Shema prayer declares "Hear O Israel, the Lord is our God, the Lord is One" (Deuteronomy 6:4). This monotheistic belief is central to Jewish faith and means Jews worship only one God who is indivisible and unique. (2 marks)

Examiner note: The 5-mark questions require reference to sacred writings or teachings. One belief should have detailed explanation (3 marks) and the second can be briefer (2 marks).

Example 3: 12-mark evaluation question

"Belief in life after death is essential to Judaism."

Evaluate this statement considering arguments for and against. In your response you should: • refer to Jewish teaching • reach a justified conclusion.

Model answer structure:

Arguments for (one paragraph, 3-4 marks): Belief in life after death and resurrection motivates Jews to live righteously, as they believe God will judge them and reward the righteous in the World to Come. Orthodox Jews believe in bodily resurrection during the Messianic age, which is affirmed in the second blessing of the Amidah prayer. This belief gives meaning to suffering in this life and ensures justice, as the wicked will be punished. It also explains why Jews must treat bodies respectfully and traditionally oppose cremation.

Arguments against (one paragraph, 3-4 marks): However, many Reform Jews would disagree that belief in the afterlife is essential. Early Jewish texts like much of the Tenakh focus on right action in this life with little mention of the afterlife, suggesting it was not always central. Reform Jews emphasise tikkun olam (repairing the world) and living ethically now rather than for reward later. What matters is how Jews treat others and follow mitzvot, not beliefs about what happens after death. Judaism can be meaningful through community, tradition, and ethics without requiring afterlife beliefs.

Evaluation and conclusion (3-4 marks): While Orthodox Judaism strongly emphasises resurrection and the World to Come, the diversity of Jewish belief shows it is not absolutely essential. The most important aspects of Judaism — monotheism, covenant, and ethical living — can exist without specific afterlife beliefs. However, for many Jews, belief in life after death provides comfort and incentive for righteous behaviour. Overall, it is significant but not essential to Judaism, as the religion's core focus remains on this life and humanity's relationship with God.

Examiner note: The strongest answers consider both viewpoints with evidence, use religious teachings, and reach a justified conclusion that considers different Jewish perspectives.

Common mistakes and how to avoid them

• Confusing Jewish and Christian beliefs about the Messiah. Remember: Jews do not believe Jesus was the Messiah; Orthodox Jews await a future Messianic figure while Reform Jews often interpret this symbolically.

• Oversimplifying "chosen people" as superiority. The correct understanding is responsibility and mission, not ethnic or moral superiority. Jews are chosen for obligations, not privileges.

• Writing about "the Jewish belief" when denominations differ. Always specify if you mean Orthodox, Reform, or broadly Jewish belief. Life after death and Messiah beliefs vary significantly between denominations.

• Forgetting to include sources for 5-mark questions. You must reference Torah, Tenakh, Talmud or Jewish teachings. Without this, you cannot access full marks.

• Treating all 613 mitzvot as equally important. Pikuach Nefesh shows that saving life overrides almost all other commandments. Understand the hierarchy of Jewish law.

• Assuming Jews believe in hell. Gehinnom is temporary purification, not eternal damnation. This is a crucial difference from Christian teaching.

Exam technique for "Judaism: Beliefs and Teachings"

• Know your command words: "Outline" requires basic points (1 mark each). "Explain" requires developed points with reasoning (2-3 marks each). "Evaluate" requires arguments for and against with a justified conclusion.

• For 12-mark evaluation questions: Write at least three paragraphs — one supporting the statement, one opposing it, and one evaluating which is stronger with your conclusion. Use phrases like "However, some Jews would argue..." or "From an Orthodox perspective..." to show different viewpoints.

• Use technical terminology accurately: Words like Shema, mitzvot, Shekhinah, and pikuach nefesh demonstrate knowledge. Define them briefly if using them in explanations.

• Balance breadth and depth: For 4-mark and 5-mark questions, two well-explained points beat three underdeveloped ones. Show reasoning and connection to the question.

Quick revision summary

Judaism centres on monotheism — belief in one God who is creator, lawgiver and judge. God made covenants with Abraham and Moses, establishing Jews as chosen people with responsibilities. Humans are created in God's image, giving life sanctity, and have free will to choose good or evil. Repentance is always possible. Orthodox Jews await a Messiah descended from David who will bring peace; Reform Jews often interpret this symbolically. Beliefs about resurrection and life after death vary by denomination. Jewish ethics emphasise justice, charity, and kindness, flowing from the 613 mitzvot in Torah.