What you'll learn
This revision guide covers the core beliefs and teachings of Judaism as required by the Pearson Edexcel International IGCSE Religious Studies specification. You'll explore Jewish understandings of God, the covenant relationship, sacred texts, key religious figures, and beliefs about the Messiah and afterlife. These notes focus exclusively on testable content with worked examples matching actual exam question styles.
Key terms and definitions
Monotheism — the belief in one God, central to Jewish faith as expressed in the Shema
Covenant — a binding agreement between God and the Jewish people, establishing mutual responsibilities and promises
Shekhinah — the divine presence of God dwelling among people, often associated with the Temple or synagogue
Torah — the first five books of the Hebrew Bible (Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, Deuteronomy), containing God's laws and teachings
Messiah — the anointed one who Jews believe will bring peace and restore Israel; literally means "anointed"
Mitzvot — the 613 commandments given by God in the Torah that guide Jewish life and practice
Pikuach Nefesh — the principle that saving a human life overrides almost all other religious commandments
Tikkun Olam — "repairing the world" through acts of kindness and social justice
Core concepts
The Nature of God
Judaism is strictly monotheistic. The Shema, recited twice daily by observant Jews, declares: "Hear O Israel, the Lord our God, the Lord is One" (Deuteronomy 6:4). This statement affirms belief in one indivisible God.
Key characteristics of God in Judaism:
- Omnipotent (all-powerful) — God created the universe and controls everything
- Omniscient (all-knowing) — God knows the past, present and future
- Omnipresent (present everywhere) — God's presence fills the universe
- Eternal — God has no beginning or end
- Transcendent — God exists beyond the physical universe
- Immanent — God is involved in the world and human affairs
The Shekhinah represents God's immanent presence. Traditional sources describe the Shekhinah dwelling in the Tabernacle and Temple. After the Temple's destruction in 70 CE, many Jews believe the Shekhinah can be experienced in synagogues, during prayer, or when studying Torah.
God as Judge: Jews believe God judges human actions fairly and with compassion. The Ten Days of Repentance between Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur emphasize divine judgement, when God inscribes people's fates for the coming year in the Book of Life based on their repentance and good deeds.
God as Lawgiver: God revealed the Torah to Moses at Mount Sinai, providing 613 mitzvot that structure Jewish religious, ethical and social life. These commandments show how to live in covenant relationship with God.
The Covenant
The covenant is the foundational agreement between God and the Jewish people. It establishes a unique relationship with mutual obligations.
The Covenant with Abraham: God promised Abraham (Genesis 12, 15, 17):
- Descendants as numerous as stars
- The land of Canaan (Israel)
- To be a blessing to all nations
In return, Abraham and his descendants must:
- Worship only God
- Follow God's commandments
- Practice circumcision as a sign of the covenant
The Covenant at Sinai: At Mount Sinai, God made a covenant with all Israelites through Moses (Exodus 19-24). God gave the Torah, including the Ten Commandments. Jews agreed to be God's "treasured possession" and "a kingdom of priests."
The Covenant with Moses: This covenant reinforced that God would protect and guide the Jewish people, while they must:
- Obey the 613 mitzvot
- Maintain ritual purity
- Establish a just society
The Covenant with David: God promised King David an eternal dynasty (2 Samuel 7:12-16). This covenant forms the basis for belief in the Messiah, who will descend from David's line.
Modern significance: The covenant remains central to Jewish identity. It explains Jewish chosenness — not superiority, but responsibility to maintain higher ethical standards and bring knowledge of God to the world. The covenant is eternal and unconditional; even when Jews have failed to uphold their obligations, God remains faithful.
The Sanctity of Human Life
Judaism teaches that human life is sacred because humans are created "in the image of God" (Genesis 1:27). This concept, B'tzelem Elohim, means every person possesses inherent dignity and worth.
Key implications:
- Murder is absolutely forbidden — one of the Ten Commandments states "You shall not murder" (Exodus 20:13)
- Human life takes precedence over almost all religious laws through pikuach nefesh
- Protecting and preserving life is a religious duty
- The body is on loan from God and must be treated with respect
Pikuach Nefesh in practice: If observing Shabbat (the Sabbath) would endanger life, Jews must break Shabbat to preserve life. A pregnant woman whose life is at risk can have an abortion. Medical professionals can work on Shabbat to save lives.
Life after death: Jewish teachings on the afterlife are less defined than in Christianity or Islam, with diverse views within Judaism:
- Sheol — an early biblical concept of a shadowy underworld where all dead go
- Gan Eden and Gehenna — developed in later texts as paradise and a place of purification
- Olam Ha-Ba (the world to come) — a future age after resurrection, sometimes understood as the messianic age
- Resurrection — Orthodox Jews believe in physical resurrection when the Messiah comes
- Immortality of the soul — Reform and Liberal Jews often emphasize the soul's eternal nature rather than bodily resurrection
The afterlife receives less emphasis than righteous living in this world. The focus is on fulfilling mitzvot and creating a just society now.
The Messiah and Messianic Age
The Messiah (Hebrew: Mashiach) means "anointed one." In Judaism, this refers to a future human leader descended from King David who will bring about God's kingdom on earth.
Characteristics of the Messiah:
- A human being, not divine (unlike Christian belief)
- A descendant of King David
- A great political and spiritual leader
- Will unite the Jewish people
- Will rebuild the Temple in Jerusalem
- Will bring universal peace and end suffering
- Will bring knowledge of God to all humanity
The Messianic Age: When the Messiah comes, the world will be transformed:
- Wars will cease — "Nation shall not lift up sword against nation" (Isaiah 2:4)
- The dead will be resurrected
- All Jews will return to Israel
- The Temple will be rebuilt
- Torah will be the world's law
- Poverty, disease and injustice will end
Different Jewish perspectives:
Orthodox Judaism — Awaits a personal Messiah who will literally fulfill these prophecies. Daily prayers include requests for the Messiah's coming.
Reform Judaism — Often interprets messianic prophecies symbolically, focusing on a messianic age of peace and justice that humans help bring about through ethical action and tikkun olam (repairing the world). The Messiah may represent humanity's collective progress rather than one individual.
Conservative Judaism — Holds positions between Orthodox and Reform views, with diverse interpretations within the movement.
Key Figures in Judaism
Abraham:
- First patriarch and first to recognize one God
- Made the first covenant with God
- Father of the Jewish people through Isaac
- Demonstrated absolute faith when willing to sacrifice Isaac (Genesis 22)
- Model of hospitality and righteousness
Moses:
- Greatest prophet in Judaism
- Led Israelites from slavery in Egypt (the Exodus)
- Received the Torah at Mount Sinai
- Mediated the covenant between God and Israel
- "No prophet has risen in Israel like Moses, whom the Lord knew face to face" (Deuteronomy 34:10)
Abraham and Moses established the foundation of Jewish faith — Abraham through the covenant of peoplehood, Moses through the covenant of law.
The Tenakh and Talmud
The Tenakh (Hebrew Bible) contains three sections:
- Torah (Law) — Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, Deuteronomy. The most sacred texts, read weekly in synagogue
- Nevi'im (Prophets) — Historical books and prophetic writings from Isaiah, Jeremiah, Ezekiel and the Twelve Minor Prophets
- Ketuvim (Writings) — Psalms, Proverbs, Job, and other texts
The Talmud: The Talmud records centuries of rabbinic debate interpreting the Torah. It consists of:
- Mishnah — oral law written down around 200 CE, organizing the 613 mitzvot into six orders
- Gemara — commentary and discussion on the Mishnah, completed around 500 CE
The Talmud provides practical application of Torah laws to everyday situations. Two versions exist: the Babylonian Talmud (more authoritative) and the Jerusalem Talmud.
Authority of texts: Orthodox Jews believe the Torah is the literal word of God given to Moses. Reform Jews may view the Torah as divinely inspired but written by humans, thus open to reinterpretation. All movements agree the Torah is Judaism's foundational document.
Worked examples
Example 1: Short answer question (4 marks)
Question: Outline three characteristics of God in Judaism.
Model answer: One characteristic is that God is omnipotent, meaning all-powerful. This is shown through God creating the entire universe. A second characteristic is that God is omniscient, or all-knowing, knowing everything in the past, present and future. A third characteristic is that God is eternal, having no beginning or end, existing outside time.
Examiner note: Each characteristic earns one mark, with an additional mark for development or example. Three well-explained characteristics = 4 marks.
Example 2: Explanation question (8 marks)
Question: Explain two Jewish beliefs about life after death.
Model answer: One Jewish belief about life after death is resurrection of the dead. Orthodox Jews believe that when the Messiah comes, the dead will be physically resurrected and live in the world to come (Olam Ha-Ba). This is based on texts like Daniel 12:2 which states "Multitudes who sleep in the dust of the earth will awake." This belief emphasizes that the body is important and sacred, not just a prison for the soul. It connects to the messianic age when the righteous will be rewarded with eternal life.
A second belief is the immortality of the soul. Reform and Liberal Jews often emphasize this understanding rather than physical resurrection. They believe the soul continues after death, perhaps in Gan Eden (paradise), while the body returns to dust. This interpretation focuses on the spiritual rather than physical continuation and is seen as more compatible with modern scientific understanding. The soul's immortality means that living righteously in this life has eternal consequences.
Examiner note: Each belief requires explanation (not just identification) and development of its significance. Full marks require clear religious knowledge and reasoning. 4 marks per belief × 2 = 8 marks.
Example 3: Evaluation question (15 marks)
Question: "The covenant is the most important belief in Judaism." Evaluate this statement considering arguments for and against. In your response, you should: • refer to Jewish teachings • reach a justified conclusion.
Model answer structure:
Arguments for: The covenant establishes the entire Jewish identity and relationship with God. Without the covenant with Abraham, there would be no Jewish people, as God promised to make his descendants a great nation. The covenant at Sinai gave Jews the Torah and the 613 mitzvot, which structure all Jewish religious practice. The covenant explains Jewish chosenness and the responsibility to be "a light unto the nations." Throughout history, even during persecution, the belief in God's covenant promises sustained Jewish faith and identity. The daily recitation of the Shema reinforces this covenant relationship.
Arguments against: Belief in one God (monotheism) could be considered more fundamental than the covenant, as the covenant depends on there being one God to make it with. The Shema's declaration of God's oneness is the central statement of Jewish faith. Additionally, the sanctity of human life and pikuach nefesh might be viewed as more important practically, as these beliefs guide ethical decisions affecting life and death. The messianic hope also motivates Jews to work for justice and peace. Without belief in God's nature (omnipotent, just, merciful), the covenant would have no meaning.
Conclusion: While the covenant is extremely important in defining the Jewish people's relationship with God and providing the framework for religious practice through the mitzvot, it ultimately depends on the more fundamental belief in one God. However, the covenant is unique to Judaism and distinguishes it from other monotheistic faiths, making it arguably the most distinctive and central belief. On balance, the covenant and monotheism are inseparable — one defines what Jews believe, the other defines who they are as God's covenant people.
Examiner note: Evaluation questions require balanced arguments, religious knowledge, and a reasoned conclusion. Top marks require sophisticated analysis, not just listing points.
Common mistakes and how to avoid them
- Confusing Jewish and Christian beliefs about the Messiah — Remember that Jews do not believe Jesus is the Messiah, and await a future human (not divine) leader descended from David
- Treating all Jews as having identical beliefs — Acknowledge differences between Orthodox, Conservative, and Reform movements, especially regarding the Messiah, afterlife, and authority of Torah
- Using vague language like "holy book" — Use precise terms: Torah, Tenakh, Talmud, Mishnah, Gemara. Know what each contains
- Stating beliefs without explaining their significance — Always develop points by explaining why the belief matters or how it affects Jewish life
- Forgetting to use evidence — Reference specific texts (Genesis 12, Exodus 20, Deuteronomy 6:4) or practices to support points
- Writing everything you know rather than answering the question — Focus on what the question specifically asks; if it asks for two beliefs, don't write about five
Exam technique for "Judaism: Beliefs and Teachings"
- Learn command words: "Outline" requires brief points; "Explain" needs detailed development with reasoning; "Evaluate" demands arguments for and against with a justified conclusion
- Mark allocation guides timing: Spend approximately one minute per mark. A 4-mark question needs about 4 minutes; a 15-mark evaluation needs 15-18 minutes
- Structure evaluation answers: Use clear paragraphs for arguments supporting the statement, then arguments against, then a reasoned conclusion that weighs up both sides
- Use technical vocabulary accurately: Demonstrate knowledge through terms like Shekhinah, mitzvot, Olam Ha-Ba, B'tzelem Elohim, and pikuach nefesh rather than general descriptions
Quick revision summary
Judaism is strictly monotheistic, affirming one God who is omnipotent, omniscient, and eternal. The covenant establishes Jews as God's chosen people with responsibilities to follow the 613 mitzvot in the Torah. Abraham made the first covenant; Moses received the Torah at Sinai. Human life is sacred (B'tzelem Elohim) and preserving it (pikuach nefesh) overrides most commandments. Jews await a human Messiah descended from David who will bring peace and restore the Temple. Beliefs about afterlife vary, with Orthodox Jews emphasizing resurrection and Reform Jews focusing on the soul's immortality. The Tenakh and Talmud guide Jewish belief and practice.