What you'll learn
The key beliefs of Judaism and the covenant relationship between God and the Jewish people.
The nature of God
- Monotheism: one God who is creator, lawgiver and judge, expressed in the Shema.
- God as omnipotent, omniscient and merciful.
Covenant and the Torah
- The covenant with Abraham and the covenant at Sinai with Moses.
- The Torah and the 613 mitzvot (commandments), including the Ten Commandments.
- The importance of the Promised Land.
Messiah and afterlife
- Belief in a future Messiah (mashiach) and a messianic age of peace.
- A range of views on the afterlife and judgement; emphasis on living a good life now.
- Pikuach nefesh: the duty to preserve life overrides almost all other commandments.
Exam tips
- Quote the Shema and reference the Torah as sources of authority.
- Note differences between Orthodox and Reform Judaism.
Common mistakes
- Assuming Judaism has a single fixed belief about the afterlife.
- Confusing the Abrahamic and Sinai covenants.