Judaism: Beliefs and Teachings

What you'll learn

This revision guide covers all testable content on Jewish beliefs and teachings for OCR GCSE Religious Studies. You'll master core theological concepts including the nature of God, covenant relationships, the role of the Messiah, and Jewish perspectives on life after death. These notes align precisely with the OCR specification and include exam-style questions with mark-scheme guidance.

Key terms and definitions

Shema — The most important Jewish prayer declaring belief in one God, recited twice daily, beginning "Hear, O Israel: the Lord our God, the Lord is One" (Deuteronomy 6:4)

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

Shekinah — The divine presence of God dwelling on earth, often experienced as light or radiance

Torah — The first five books of the Hebrew Bible (also called the Law of Moses), containing God's teachings and commandments

Mitzvot — The 613 commandments found in the Torah that guide Jewish life and practice (singular: mitzvah)

Messiah — The anointed one who Jews believe will bring peace, rebuild the Temple, and establish God's kingdom on earth

Pikuach Nefesh — The principle that preserving human life overrides almost all other religious laws

Talmud — The collection of rabbinic teachings, discussions, and interpretations of the Torah

Core concepts

The nature of God

Judaism is strictly monotheistic — Jews believe in one, indivisible God. This foundational belief distinguishes Judaism from other ancient religions that worshipped multiple deities.

Key characteristics of God:

• One — God is singular and unique (expressed in the Shema)
• Creator — God brought the universe into existence and continues to sustain it
• Lawgiver — God gave the Torah to guide human behaviour
• Judge — God holds people accountable for their actions
• Omnipotent — God is all-powerful
• Omniscient — God is all-knowing
• Omnipresent — God is present everywhere
• Eternal — God exists beyond time, without beginning or end
• Transcendent — God exists beyond and above the physical universe
• Immanent — God is involved in the world and accessible to humanity

Jews do not speak God's personal name (the Tetragrammaton YHWH) out of respect. Instead, they use terms like Adonai (Lord) or HaShem (The Name).

The Shekinah represents God's presence in the physical world. In biblical times, the Shekinah dwelt in the Tabernacle and later the Temple in Jerusalem. Today, Jews believe God's presence can be experienced in prayer, Torah study, and acts of loving-kindness.

Covenant and chosen people

The concept of covenant is central to Jewish identity and theology. A covenant establishes a special relationship between God and the Jewish people, involving promises and obligations on both sides.

Major covenants in Judaism:

Abraham's covenant (Genesis 15 and 17):

• God promised Abraham descendants as numerous as the stars
• God promised the land of Canaan to Abraham's descendants
• Abraham and his descendants must circumcise males as a sign of the covenant
• This established the Jewish people as God's chosen people

Moses and the Sinai covenant (Exodus 19-24):

• God gave the Torah, including the Ten Commandments, to Moses on Mount Sinai
• The Jewish people agreed to follow God's laws
• God promised to make them "a kingdom of priests and a holy nation"
• This covenant requires obedience to the 613 mitzvot

Being God's chosen people does not mean Jews are superior to others. Rather, it means they have special responsibilities to follow God's laws, be a "light unto the nations," and demonstrate ethical monotheism to the world.

Orthodox Jews believe the covenant is eternal and binding on all Jews. Reform Jews may interpret covenant obligations more flexibly, adapting them to contemporary contexts.

The Messiah and messianic age

Jews believe in a future Messianic Age when God's kingdom will be established on earth. The Messiah (anointed one) will be a human leader descended from King David who brings about this transformation.

Characteristics of the Messianic Age:

• Universal peace — nations will no longer make war (Isaiah 2:4)
• The Temple in Jerusalem will be rebuilt
• All Jews will return to Israel
• The world will acknowledge the one true God
• Perfect justice and righteousness
• Some traditions include resurrection of the dead

Different Jewish perspectives:

Orthodox Judaism:

• Awaits a personal Messiah who is a human descended from David
• The Messiah will perform miraculous deeds and transform the world
• This belief is one of Maimonides' 13 Principles of Faith

Reform Judaism:

• Often interprets the Messiah symbolically
• Focuses on a messianic age of peace rather than a single individual
• Believes humans must work to bring about the messianic age through social justice

Why Jews rejected Jesus as the Messiah:

• The messianic prophecies were not fulfilled (Temple not rebuilt, peace not established)
• Jesus did not have a normal lifespan or establish earthly kingdom
• Christian claims of Jesus' divinity conflict with strict monotheism

Life after death

Jewish beliefs about the afterlife are less defined than in Christianity or Islam, and significant diversity exists among Jewish denominations.

Traditional beliefs:

Sheol — An early biblical concept of a shadowy underworld where all the dead go, regardless of righteousness

Olam Ha-Ba (World to Come) — A future spiritual realm where the righteous receive reward

Gan Eden (Garden of Eden/Paradise) — Where righteous souls go after death

Gehinom (Gehenna) — A place of purification (not eternal punishment) where souls are cleansed for up to 12 months

Resurrection of the dead — Many traditional Jews believe the dead will be physically resurrected in the messianic age

Contemporary perspectives:

Orthodox Jews:

• Generally accept resurrection and the World to Come
• Believe in divine judgment after death
• May recite prayers affirming resurrection

Reform Jews:

• Often focus on immortality of the soul rather than physical resurrection
• Emphasise living ethically in this world
• May view afterlife concepts symbolically

The emphasis in Judaism is predominantly on this-worldly righteousness rather than securing a heavenly reward. The principle of Tikkun Olam (repairing the world) encourages Jews to improve society now.

Free will, sin and repentance

Judaism teaches that humans have free will — the ability to choose between right and wrong. This makes moral responsibility possible.

The Yetzer Hara and Yetzer Hatov:

• The yetzer hara is the evil inclination that tempts people toward selfishness
• The yetzer hatov is the good inclination that encourages righteousness
• Humans must struggle to overcome the yetzer hara through following Torah

Sin and atonement:

Jews do not accept the Christian concept of original sin. Each person is born morally neutral and is responsible for their own actions.

Teshuvah (repentance) is the process of returning to God after sinning:

1. Recognising and ceasing the sin
2. Experiencing genuine remorse
3. Confessing to God
4. Making amends to those harmed
5. Resolving not to repeat the sin

Yom Kippur (Day of Atonement) is the holiest day in the Jewish calendar, dedicated to repentance and seeking forgiveness. However, Yom Kippur only atones for sins against God — sins against other people require direct apology and restitution.

The concept of Pikuach Nefesh demonstrates Judaism's prioritisation of life: almost any commandment may be broken to preserve human life.

The role of the synagogue and worship

The synagogue serves as the centre of Jewish communal life, functioning as a house of prayer, study, and assembly.

Key features:

• Aron Hakodesh (Ark) — Contains Torah scrolls, positioned facing Jerusalem
• Ner Tamid (Eternal Light) — Burns continuously, symbolising God's presence
• Bimah — Raised platform where Torah is read
• Separation of sexes — In Orthodox synagogues, men and women sit separately; Reform synagogues have mixed seating

Prayer services:

Jews traditionally pray three times daily (morning, afternoon, evening). Prayer can be individual or communal, though certain prayers require a minyan (quorum of 10 adult men in Orthodox Judaism; 10 adult Jews regardless of gender in Reform Judaism).

The Amidah (Standing Prayer) is recited at each service, while the Shema is said morning and evening. On Shabbat (Sabbath, from Friday evening to Saturday evening), special services include reading from the Torah.

Worked examples

Example 1: 2-mark question

Question: Give two characteristics of God in Judaism. (2 marks)

Model answer: One characteristic is that God is omnipotent/all-powerful (1 mark). Another characteristic is that God is the creator of the universe (1 mark).

Examiner guidance: For 2-mark "give" questions, simply state two correct points. No explanation needed — one mark per valid characteristic.

Example 2: 5-mark question

Question: Explain two ways in which belief in the covenant influences Jews today. (5 marks)

Model answer: One way belief in the covenant influences Jews is through following the mitzvot. The covenant at Sinai required Jews to obey God's commandments, so observant Jews today follow laws about kashrut (keeping kosher), Shabbat observance, and ethical behaviour as part of their covenant responsibilities (3 marks).

Another way is through the practice of circumcision. Because the covenant with Abraham required circumcision as a sign, Jewish boys undergo brit milah on the eighth day after birth, marking their entry into the covenant community (2 marks).

Examiner guidance: For 5-mark questions, provide two developed explanations. Aim for 3 marks + 2 marks or 2.5 + 2.5. Include specific examples and show how belief leads to practice.

Example 3: 15-mark evaluation question

Question: "Belief in life after death is not important in Judaism." Discuss this statement showing that you have considered more than one point of view. (You must refer to religion and belief in your answer.) (15 marks)

Model answer structure:

Arguments agreeing: Judaism primarily emphasises this-worldly righteousness rather than reward in an afterlife. The concept of Tikkun Olam shows that Jews focus on repairing the world now. Many biblical texts contain little or no mention of afterlife, suggesting it was not central to early Jewish thought. Reform Jews often interpret afterlife symbolically and focus on creating a better world for future generations, showing it is possible to be devout without strong afterlife beliefs.

Arguments disagreeing: For Orthodox Jews, resurrection of the dead is one of Maimonides' 13 Principles of Faith, making it a core belief. Belief in divine justice in the afterlife helps explain why the righteous suffer in this world — they will receive reward in Olam Ha-Ba. The messianic age, which many Jews await, includes resurrection, showing afterlife is connected to central hopes. Prayers like the Amidah mention resurrection, demonstrating its liturgical importance.

Evaluation: While afterlife beliefs vary among Jewish denominations, making blanket statements is problematic. For Orthodox communities, afterlife belief remains significant and shapes daily prayer. However, Judaism's primary ethical focus is on present action, and the religion's flexibility allows for diverse views while maintaining Jewish identity. The statement is therefore partially true — afterlife is less emphasised than in some religions but remains important for many Jews.

Examiner guidance: For 15-mark questions, present balanced arguments with religious knowledge. Include technical terms, scriptural references where appropriate, and reach a justified conclusion. Aim for 4-5 paragraphs covering multiple perspectives.

Common mistakes and how to avoid them

• Confusing Judaism with Christianity — Do not attribute Christian concepts like original sin, Trinity, or Jesus as Messiah to Judaism. Jews are strictly monotheistic and await a future Messiah.

• Treating all Jews as identical — Distinguish between Orthodox, Reform, and other denominations. They have significantly different beliefs about Messiah, afterlife, and religious obligation.

• Misunderstanding "chosen people" — This means special responsibility, not superiority. Jews are chosen to follow Torah and be a moral example, not to receive exclusive salvation.

• Vague answers about God — Use specific theological terms like omnipotent, transcendent, immanent rather than general phrases like "God is good." Show knowledge of Shekinah and Shema.

• Ignoring the question focus — If asked how beliefs influence practice, don't just describe beliefs. Always connect theological concepts to observable Jewish life (prayer, festivals, mitzvot).

• Poor use of sources — When citing Torah or Talmud, be specific where possible. "Genesis 15" is better than "the Bible says."

Exam technique for "Judaism: Beliefs and Teachings"

• Command words matter: "Give" requires simple statements. "Explain" requires development showing how/why. "Evaluate" or "Discuss" requires multiple viewpoints and justified conclusions with religious reasoning.

• Structure 5-mark answers carefully: Two clear points with specific development. Use phrases like "One way is..." and "Another way is..." to signal structure. Include technical vocabulary and examples from Jewish practice.

• 15-mark evaluation answers need balance: Present arguments for and against the statement. Include diverse Jewish perspectives (Orthodox vs Reform). Conclude with a justified personal evaluation supported by the evidence presented.

• Demonstrate specific knowledge: Examiners reward precise terminology (Shekinah, mitzvot, Tikkun Olam) and concrete examples (circumcision, Yom Kippur, kashrut) over vague generalisations about "being good."

Quick revision summary

Judaism is strictly monotheistic, centred on one God who is creator, lawgiver, and judge. The covenant relationship establishes Jews as God's chosen people with responsibility to follow the 613 mitzvot. Jews await a future Messiah who will bring universal peace and rebuild the Temple. Beliefs about the afterlife vary, with Orthodox Jews affirming resurrection and Reform Jews often focusing on this-worldly ethics. Free will enables moral choice, while teshuvah (repentance) allows return to God after sin. The Shema declares God's oneness, while Shekinah represents God's presence on earth.