What you'll learn
This guide covers the essential beliefs and teachings in Judaism for WJEC GCSE Religious Studies. You'll explore the Jewish understanding of God, the covenant relationship between God and the Jewish people, the role of the Messiah, and beliefs about life after death. These foundational concepts are tested across multiple question types in your exam.
Key terms and definitions
Shema — the central declaration of Jewish faith affirming belief in one God, recited twice daily by observant Jews ("Hear, O Israel: the Lord our God, the Lord is One")
Covenant — a binding agreement between God and the Jewish people, establishing mutual responsibilities and promises
Torah — the first five books of the Hebrew Bible (Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, Deuteronomy), considered God's revealed law and teachings
Messiah — the anointed one who Jews believe will bring God's kingdom on earth, restore Israel, and establish an age of peace
Shekhinah — the divine presence of God in the world, often understood as God dwelling among his people
Mitzvot — the 613 commandments given by God in the Torah that guide Jewish religious and moral life
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, reflecting partnership with God in creation
Core concepts
The nature of God in Judaism
Judaism is strictly monotheistic, meaning Jews believe in one God only. This belief is central to Jewish identity and distinguishes Judaism from ancient polytheistic religions.
Key characteristics of God:
- One — God is singular and indivisible (echad), as stated in the Shema
- Creator — God brought the universe into existence and continues to sustain it
- Lawgiver — God gave the Torah to Moses at Mount Sinai, establishing moral and ritual laws
- Judge — God judges human actions and holds people accountable
- Omnipotent — all-powerful, able to do anything
- Omniscient — all-knowing, aware of all thoughts and actions
- Transcendent — beyond and outside the physical universe
- Immanent — present and active in the world through the Shekhinah
Jews understand God as both transcendent (wholly other, beyond human comprehension) and immanent (close and involved in human affairs). The balance between these concepts shapes Jewish worship and practice.
The Shekhinah represents God's presence dwelling with the people of Israel. In the Torah, the Shekhinah rested in the Tabernacle and later in the Temple in Jerusalem. After the Temple's destruction in 70 CE, Jews believe the Shekhinah accompanies them in exile and can be experienced through prayer, study, and righteous actions.
The covenant relationship
The covenant is fundamental to understanding Judaism. It establishes the Jewish people's special relationship with God, involving both privileges and responsibilities.
Key covenants in Jewish scripture:
Abraham's covenant (Genesis 15-17):
- God promised Abraham numerous descendants
- God promised the land of Canaan to Abraham's descendants
- Abraham and his male descendants must be circumcised as a sign of the covenant
- This established the Jewish people as God's chosen people
Moses' covenant at Sinai (Exodus 19-24):
- God gave the Torah, including the Ten Commandments
- Jews agreed to follow God's laws (mitzvot)
- God promised to make Israel "a kingdom of priests and a holy nation"
- This covenant established the framework for Jewish religious life
The covenant concept means Jews have been chosen for responsibility, not privilege. They must follow the 613 mitzvot and live as witnesses to God's truth. In return, God promises to protect and guide his people.
Orthodox Jews believe the covenant is eternal and unchanging. Reform Jews may interpret covenant obligations more flexibly, emphasizing ethical mitzvot over ritual ones while maintaining commitment to the covenant relationship.
The promised land and chosenness
The land of Israel holds deep religious significance as the land promised by God to Abraham's descendants. This belief connects to Jewish identity, history, and hope.
Religious significance of the land:
- Fulfillment of God's covenant promise
- Location of the Temple in Jerusalem, the holiest site in Judaism
- Connection to biblical history and the patriarchs
- Place where many mitzvot can only be fulfilled
- Future site of messianic redemption
Chosen people does not mean superiority but rather a special role and responsibility. Jews are chosen to:
- Follow the Torah and its commandments
- Be "a light unto the nations" (Isaiah 42:6)
- Demonstrate ethical monotheism to the world
- Maintain the covenant relationship with God
Different Jewish movements interpret chosenness variously. Orthodox Judaism maintains traditional understanding of being selected by God. Reform Judaism often emphasizes the ethical responsibilities of chosenness rather than special status.
The Messiah and messianic age
Jewish belief in the Messiah differs significantly from Christian understanding. The Messiah will be a human descended from King David who will usher in an age of peace and justice.
Characteristics of the Messiah:
- A human being, not divine
- Descended from King David through the male line
- A great political and spiritual leader
- Will rebuild the Temple in Jerusalem
- Will gather all Jews back to the land of Israel
- Will bring universal peace and end all warfare
- Will spread knowledge of the God of Israel throughout the world
The messianic age will feature:
- Universal acknowledgment of one God
- End to all war, hatred, and oppression
- Perfect justice and righteousness
- Resurrection of the dead (in Orthodox belief)
- Restored Temple service
- All nations living in peace under God's sovereignty
Orthodox Jews pray daily for the Messiah's coming and believe in a personal, individual Messiah. Reform Jews traditionally interpreted messianic prophecies as referring to a future age of peace achieved through human effort and progress, though individual beliefs vary.
The concept of tikkun olam connects to messianic hope. By performing mitzvot and acts of justice, Jews partner with God in repairing the world and hastening the messianic age.
Life after death
Jewish beliefs about life after death have evolved and vary between movements. Unlike Christianity or Islam, Judaism focuses more on this life than the afterlife.
Key concepts:
Sheol — in early biblical texts, a shadowy underworld where all dead reside, regardless of righteousness
Olam Ha-Ba (The World to Come) — the afterlife or future world after the Messiah comes; interpretations vary
Gan Eden and Gehenna — paradise and a place of purification (not eternal punishment like hell); some Jews believe the soul is purified in Gehenna for up to 12 months before entering Gan Eden
Resurrection of the dead — Orthodox Jews believe the dead will be physically resurrected when the Messiah comes; referenced in daily prayers
Immortality of the soul — belief that the soul continues after death; emphasized more in Reform Judaism
Orthodox Judaism generally affirms bodily resurrection and judgment after death. The righteous will be rewarded in Olam Ha-Ba.
Reform Judaism typically emphasizes the immortality of the soul rather than physical resurrection. Many Reform Jews focus on creating a better world now rather than expecting literal afterlife rewards.
Mourning practices reflect Jewish beliefs:
- Sitting shiva (seven days of mourning at home)
- Reciting Kaddish (a prayer sanctifying God's name) for eleven months
- Yahrzeit (annual commemoration of death)
- These practices honor the deceased while affirming life and God's justice
Free will, sin, and repentance
Judaism emphasizes human free will and moral responsibility. Humans can choose between good and evil, making them accountable for their actions.
Yetzer ha-ra and yetzer ha-tov:
- Yetzer ha-ra — the evil inclination that tempts people toward selfishness and wrongdoing
- Yetzer ha-tov — the good inclination that draws people toward righteousness
- Humans possess both and must choose which to follow
Sin occurs when people choose wrongly and violate God's commandments. Judaism recognizes sins against God and sins against other people.
Repentance (Teshuvah):
- Recognition of sin
- Genuine remorse
- Confession to God
- Making amends to those harmed
- Resolving not to repeat the sin
Yom Kippur, the Day of Atonement, is dedicated to repentance and seeking forgiveness. However, Yom Kippur only atones for sins against God; sins against people require seeking forgiveness from those harmed.
The principle of pikuach nefesh demonstrates the supreme value Judaism places on human life. Almost all commandments may be broken to save a life, showing that preserving life takes precedence.
Worked examples
Example 1: AO1 Question (4 marks)
Question: Explain two ways Jews believe God is involved in the world.
Model answer: One way Jews believe God is involved in the world is through the Shekhinah, which is God's divine presence. Jews believe the Shekhinah dwells among the people, particularly when they gather for prayer and study, showing God's closeness to humanity.
Another way is through God acting as judge. Jews believe God observes human actions and holds people accountable for their choices, rewarding righteousness and punishing wrongdoing, which demonstrates God's ongoing involvement in human affairs.
Why this scores full marks:
- Two distinct ways clearly identified (Shekhinah, Judge)
- Each developed with explanation (4 marks = 2×2)
- Accurate religious terminology used
- Clear focus on God's involvement
Example 2: AO1 Question (5 marks)
Question: Describe Jewish beliefs about the covenant.
Model answer: Jews believe the covenant is a binding agreement between God and the Jewish people. The covenant began with Abraham when God promised him descendants and the land of Canaan in return for Abraham's faith and obedience, with circumcision as the sign of this covenant.
The covenant was renewed at Mount Sinai when Moses received the Torah from God. God gave the Jewish people 613 commandments (mitzvot) to follow, and in return promised to make them "a kingdom of priests and a holy nation." This established the framework for Jewish religious life.
Jews believe the covenant makes them God's chosen people, which means they have special responsibilities to follow God's laws and be witnesses to his truth in the world. The covenant is seen as eternal and shapes Jewish identity and practice today.
Why this scores full marks:
- Clear description of what covenant means (agreement)
- Abrahamic covenant referenced with details
- Sinai covenant explained with specifics
- Implications/significance covered
- Well-structured with appropriate terminology
Example 3: AO2 Question (15 marks)
Question: "Belief in the Messiah is the most important belief 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.)
Model answer extract (first two paragraphs):
Some Jews would agree that belief in the Messiah is the most important belief because it represents the fulfillment of God's promises and the ultimate purpose of Jewish history. Orthodox Jews pray three times daily for the Messiah's coming in the Amidah prayer, showing its centrality to worship. The Messiah will restore the Temple, gather Jews to Israel, and bring universal peace—achieving everything the covenant promised. This future hope gives meaning to present suffering and motivates Jews to perform mitzvot to hasten the Messiah's arrival through tikkun olam.
However, others would argue that belief in one God is the most important belief in Judaism. The Shema, which declares "Hear O Israel, the Lord our God, the Lord is One," is considered the most important prayer and is recited twice daily. Monotheism distinguishes Judaism from all other ancient religions and is the foundation for everything else—the covenant, Torah, and all commandments depend on belief in the one God who gave them. Without this belief, Judaism would not exist, whereas some Reform Jews reinterpret messianic beliefs as metaphorical while remaining fully Jewish.
Why this approach works:
- Argument supporting the statement
- Developed reasoning with evidence (prayer, covenant)
- Counter-argument clearly presented
- Alternative explained (belief in one God)
- Religious knowledge applied to the debate
Common mistakes and how to avoid them
Confusing Jewish and Christian beliefs about the Messiah. Remember: Jews believe the Messiah will be fully human, not divine, and has not yet come. Christians believe Jesus was the Messiah and was divine.
Saying Jews don't care about the afterlife. While Judaism focuses on this life, most Jews do hold beliefs about life after death. Be specific about Orthodox vs Reform views rather than generalizing.
Calling the Torah "the Jewish Bible." The Torah is the first five books. The whole Hebrew Bible is the Tenakh. Use precise terminology.
Treating all Jews as having identical beliefs. Orthodox, Reform, and Conservative Judaism hold different views on many issues. Acknowledge diversity where relevant.
Forgetting to link beliefs to practices. WJEC examiners want to see connections. Link covenant to mitzvot observance, God's justice to Yom Kippur, etc.
Using vague language in AO1 questions. Don't write "Jews believe in God" when you could write "Jews believe in one, all-powerful God who created the universe" with specific characteristics.
Exam technique for "Judaism: Beliefs and Teachings"
Know your command words. "Describe" requires factual detail (AO1). "Explain" requires reasons and how things connect (AO1). "Discuss" requires arguments on both sides with evaluation (AO2).
Use the mark scheme structure. For 4-mark questions, make two points with development (2+2). For 5-mark questions, aim for detailed description with multiple aspects covered. For 15-mark AO2 questions, present arguments for and against with religious reasoning.
Quote and reference appropriately. Use brief Torah quotations when relevant ("Hear O Israel..."), reference key texts (Genesis 17, Exodus 20), and cite Jewish practices that demonstrate beliefs.
Apply SPaG marks strategically. In 15-mark questions, 3-6 marks reward spelling, punctuation, and grammar. Use paragraphs, accurate religious terms, and clear expression to secure these marks.
Quick revision summary
Judaism is strictly monotheistic, believing in one God who is creator, lawgiver, and judge. The covenant between God and the Jewish people, established with Abraham and renewed at Sinai, obligates Jews to follow the 613 mitzvot. Jews believe they are chosen for responsibility as witnesses to God. The Messiah, a future human leader descended from David, will bring peace and restore the Temple. Beliefs about afterlife vary; Orthodox Jews typically affirm bodily resurrection while Reform Jews emphasize the soul's immortality. Free will allows humans to choose between good and evil, making repentance (teshuvah) essential.