RS GCSE Revision

Judaism

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Belief in:
the unity and nature of G-d, with reference to the Shema (Deuteronomy 6:4-5);	Beliefs about God	The Nature of G-d Intermediate The Name of G-d Basic	*What do Jews believe?*
Covenant and the Messianic hope;		Moshiach: The Messiah Intermediate	*Relationship between Jews and God*
Torah as Law and the concept and applications of mitzvot (commandments) in life,		Halakhah: Jewish Law Intermediate A List of the 613 Mitzvot (Commandments) Advanced
and the ways in which this may be demonstrated through the life-style of a twentieth-century Jew.

Past questions: 1999 Q3 ; 2000 Q5

The ways in which the observance of:
Shabbat;	Shabbat	Shabbat Basic	*Shabbat*
Yom Kippur (Day of Atonement);	Minor Festivals	Days of Awe Basic Yom Kippur Basic	*Minor Festivals*
Rosh Hashanah (New Year);	Minor Festivals	Rosh Hashanah Basic	*Minor Festivals*
Pesach (Passover);	Pesach - Passover	Pesach: Passover Basic	*Pesach*
Sukkot (Tabernacles),	Sukkoth, Shauvot, Simhat Torah	Sukkot Basic	*Shavot Sukkoth and Simhat Torah*
may help to recall important stories and concepts in the Jewish tradition and support and sustain a Jew's personal faith.

The reasons why and the ways in which the following divisions and interpretations originated:
Orthodox and Progressive Jews;	Groups within Judaism	Movements of Judaism Basic
Zionism, the State of Israel and the heritage of the Holocaust.		The Land of Israel Basic

The reasons why and the ways in which pilgrimage to:
Jerusalem for the traditional pilgrim festivals: Pesach, Sukkot, Shavuot;	Sukkoth, Shauvot, Simhat Torah	Shavu'ot Basic
and modern pilgrimage to: Jerusalem -- the Western Wall, Yad Vashem (the Holocaust Memorial),	Sacred Places	The Land of Israel Basic	*Sacred Places*
may play an important part in the life of a Jew.

Past questions: 1996 Q4 ; 1997 Q5 ; 1999 Q4 ;


The ways in which the symbolism of the home and its religious practices may support and influence the beliefs and attitudes of the worshippers.
The home as a place of worship:
the mezuzah and other ritual objects;	see ritual dress below
Sabbath worship, preparations, Havdalah (division), daily prayers;	Daily Life of the Jew	Prayers and Blessings Intermediate	*Prayer* *Daily life of the Jew*
Kashrut (dietary laws).	Kosher Food	Kashrut: Jewish Dietary Laws Intermediate	*Kosher*
The ways in which the design and symbolism of the synagogue, its artefacts and its religious practices, may support and influence the beliefs and attitudes of the worshippers.
The synagogue, its origins, functions and artefacts:	The Synagogue	Jewish Liturgy Intermediate	*The Synagogue*
Aron Hakodesh (ark), Sefer Torah (scrolls) and their ornaments, bimah (reading desk),Ner Tamid (eternal light), Magen David (shield/star of David);	The Synagogue	Synagogues, Shuls and Temples Basic	*The Synagogue*
responsibilities of the rabbi, chazan (cantor);	Important People	Rabbis, Priests, and Other Religious Functionaries Basic	*Important People*
ritual dress - Kippah (Yamulkah, Capel), tallit (prayer shawl), tzizit (fringes), tefillin (phylacteries).	Ritual Dress and Objects	Signs and Symbols Basic	*Ritual Objects and Dress*

Also see:

Judaism - Worship in the synagogue

The reasons why and the ways in which the Jewish commitment to:
teaching on crime and punishment;
the theology of the Holocaust (i.e. the religious responses which Jews have made to the suffering which was experienced),
ecology and stewardship -- Kibbutzim
may bring Jews into conflict with their own consciences and with established ideas and social systems.

Past questions: 1998 Q3 ;

Religion in the Family and the Community

The reasons why and the ways in which Jewish beliefs are reflected in:
birth rites and the nurture of the young;	see Rites of Passage below
the marriage ceremony;	see Rites of Passage below
the perceived role of the family;		Jewish family life		Family Life
funeral rites and beliefs about death and dying;		see Rites of Passage below	Olam Ha-Ba: The Afterlife Basic
the work of Jewish charitable organisations within the Jewish community and beyond. For example, Jewish National Fund or Jewish Care	Concern for others Test Poverty, wealth and charity Test		Love and Brotherhood Basic
the role of the synagogue and the community in caring for people.		see the synagogue above

Also see:

Judaism - Family life

The religious significance and observance of:
Brit Milah (Circumcision);		Birth (Brit Milah)	Birth and the First Month of Life Basic	*Birth Ceremonies*
Bar/Bat Mitzvah (son/daughter of the commandment);		Initiation (Bar/Bat Mitzvah)	Bar Mitzvah, Bat Mitzvah and Confirmation Basic	*Bar and Bat Mitzvah*
Kiddushin (marriage);	Marriage and Divorce Test	Marriage	Marriage Basic Divorce Basic	*Marriage*
death and mourning rituals.		Death	Life, Death and Mourning Basic	*Death and Funeral Customs*

Past questions: Bar Mitzvah 1996 Q2 , 2000 Q3; Marriage 1997 Q3 ; Death 1998 Q2 ; Brit Milah 1999 Q2 ;

Test questions with answers: Brit Milah,

Sacred Writings

The reasons why and the ways in which the:
Tenakh -- Torah (Law), Nevi'im (Prophets); Ketuvim (Writings);	Scriptures	Torah Basic Torah Readings Intermediate
Talmud (learning, commentary on the Torah),
are shown respect by Jews.

Also see:

Judaism - Holy books