JUDAISM

• Beliefs

• Festivals, Fasts and Special Days

• Major Divisions and Interpretations

• Pilgrimage

• Places and Forms of Worship

• Religion in the Community and the Family

• Sacred Writings

Candidates should have considered the beliefs of Jews in relation to the following:

• the unity and nature of G-d, with reference to the Shema (Deuteronomy 6:4-5);

• Covenant and the Messianic hope;

• Torah as Law and the concept and applications of mitzvot (commandments) in life.

There should be a consideration of the ways in which these beliefs might affect the lifestyles and outlooks of Jews in the modern world.

Candidates should have considered the ways in which some Jews observe:

• Shabbat;

• Yom Kippur (Day of Atonement);

• Rosh Hashanah (New Year);

• Pesach (Passover);

• Sukkot (Tabernacles).

There should be a consideration of the significance of these times for Jews.

Candidates should have considered the main similarities and differences between Orthodox and Progressive Jews. They should also have considered the nature of Zionism and of the State of Israel, and the reasons why Jews might have different opinions about them. They should consider the events of the Holocaust, and different Jewish understandings of it, including the theology of the Holocaust.

Candidates should have explored the nature of pilgrimage in Judaism. This should include the traditional pilgrim festivals: Pesach, Sukkot and Shavuot, and modern pilgrimage to the Western Wall and the Yad Vashem (Holocaust Memorial). There should be a consideration of the role pilgrimage might play in the spiritual development of Jews.

Candidates should have explored the ways in which Jews use symbols and artefacts in their worship. There should be a consideration of the ways in which these symbols and artefacts might support and influence the beliefs and attitudes of the worshippers. Candidates should have considered:

• the design and artefacts of a synagogue, especially Aron Hakodesh (ark), Sefer Torah (scrolls) and their ornaments, bimah (reading desk), Ner Tamid (eternal light), Magen David (shield/star of David);

• the absence of any representations of G-d;

• the different ways in which the synagogue is used by the community;

• the roles of the rabbi and chazan (cantor);

• ritual dress – Kippah (Yamulkah, Capel), tallit (prayer shawl), tzizit (fringes), tefillin (phylacteries);

The home as a place of worship:

• the mezuzah and other ritual objects;

• Sabbath worship, preparations, Havdalah (division);

• daily prayers.

Candidates should have considered the following aspects of Judaism:

• the role of the synagogue and the community in caring for people;

• the work of Jewish charitable organisations within the Jewish community and beyond, e.g. Jewish Care.

• Kashrut (dietary laws).

• Birth rites (Brit Milah) and the nurture of the young;

• Bar/Bat Mitzvah (son/daughter of the commandment);

• the marriage ceremony (Kiddushin);

• the role of the family;

• funeral rites, mourning rituals, and beliefs about death and dying, life after death.

There should be consideration of the ceremonies which mark these events, the significance of the events for Jews, and the ways in which the ceremonies reflect Jewish belief.

Candidates should have explored the nature of the Tenakh Torah (Law), Nevi’im (Prophets) and Ketuvim (Writings); and of the Talmud (learning, commentary on the Torah), and their importance for Jews. There should be a consideration of the reasons why the Tenakh is a sacred text for Jews, the ways in which it is shown respect by Jews, and the ways in which it is used in private and public worship.