Depth Study - Judaism





Glossary of Key Words

  • ANALYSE Identify components and the relationship between them; draw out and relate implications
  • DEMONSTRATE Show by example
  • DESCRIBE Provide characteristics and features
  • EXPLAIN Relate cause and effect; make the relationships between things evident; provide why and/or how

Outcomes to be Assessed in this Unit

  • H1 - explains aspects of religion and belief systems
  • H2 - describes and analyses the influence of religion and belief systems on individuals and society
  • H3 - examines the influence and expression of religion and belief systems in Australia
  • H4 - describes and analyses how aspects of religious traditions are expressed by their adherents
  • H5 - evaluates the influence of religious traditions in the life of adherents
  • H6 - organises, analyses and synthesises relevant information about religion from a variety of sources, considering usefulness, validity and bias
  • H8 - applies appropriate terminology and concepts related to religion and belief systems
  • H9 - coherently and effectively communicates complex information, ideas and issues using appropriate written, oral and graphic forms

Significant People and ideas

The CONTRIBUTION to Judaism of ONE significant person or school of thought: MOSES MAIMONIDES Students learn to: EXPLAIN the contribution to the development and expression of Judaism of ONE significant person Study the EFFECT of Maimonides on Judaism and ANALYSE the impact of HIM on Judaism

Maimonides - An introduction

  • Moses Maimonides (Rabbi Moshe ben Maimon, usually referred to in Hebrew by the acronym "RaMBaM"
  • He was one of the towering figures in medieval intellectual and religious life
  • In addition to his law code, he excelled in the fields of philosophy, science, medicine and communal leadership
  • Though born in Spain in 1135, in his youth his family fled religious persecution, settling in Europe.
  • Best known for his work "The Mishneh Torah" and the Guide for the Perplexed
  • Of central importance is his "Thirteen Articles Of Faith which have been a guide to the principal beliefs of Judaism for centuries
  • These thirteen articles have been incorporated into most Jewish prayer books
  • His writings enriched medieval Judaism by giving it a new philosophical language
  • Today, Jewish professional groups see him as defining the essence of what each and every Jew should be doing - making sure that Torah study has a place in their lives
  • Died 1204 - close to 70 years old
Moses Maimonides A Brief history of His Life and Work
Thirteen Principles of Faith
Thirteen Principles of Faith - An Outline
Thirteen Principles of Faith - A Listing
Thirteen Principles of Faith A Listing
Thirteen Principles of Faith - An Outline


Ethics

DESCRIBE and EXPLAIN Jewish "ethical teachings" on BIOETHICS


JEWISH ETHICS - AN INTRODUCTION

Ethics are concerned with human values and behaviour, and Jewish ethics define correct Jewish behaviour. There is a continual interaction between ethics and Halachah (Jewish law) because it is through the study of ethics that we come to discussions about the morals and principles of that law. From Biblical times, the Halachah strove to raise the moral conscience of the people through prescription and exhortation.

The question arises: To truly be an ethical Jew, is it sufficient to follow Halachah, or is it necessary in addition to subscribe to purely ethical principles, which may also be secular? There are different answers: Rabbi Karelitz believed that the only way to become a truly ethical person was to strictly observe the law. Maimonides believed that secular principles or morality may be useful, but they are only a set of social conventions. Only a divine law such as Halachah can bring a person to perfection in both body and soul. Another view sees large areas of human behaviour as beyond the strict purview of Halachah. It states that there are certain rules or moral perceptions that cannot be explained by Halachah, but this does not mean that they are inferior or invalid.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/religion/religions/judaism/jewishethics/euthanasia_print.html
http://www.euthanasiaprocon.org/jewishperspective.html
http://ohr.edu/ask/ask028.htm
http://www.myjewishlearning.com/ideas_belief/bioethics/Bioethics_Euthanasia_TO/Bioethics_ModEuthanasia.htm
http://www.askmoses.com/article.html?h=587&o=1302
http://www.aish.com/societyWork/sciencenature/Abortion_in_Jewish_Law.asp
http://www.jewishvirtuallibrary.org/jsource/Judaism/abortion.html
http://judaism.about.com/library/3_askrabbi_o/bl_simmons_birthcontrolabortion.htm
http://www.jewsformorality.org/r_jakobovits_on_abortion.htm
http://www.bbc.co.uk/religion/religions/judaism/jewishethics/abortion_1.shtml
http://assets.cambridge.org/97805218/06220/sample/9780521806220ws.pdf
http://www.peopleforlife.org/novak.html
Jewish - Medical/Bioethics












Significant Practices in the life of adherents

DESCRIBE one significant practice- MARRIAGE- within Judaism and DEMONSTRATE how the practice expresses the beliefs of Judaism and ANALYSE the significance of MARRIAGE for both the individual and the Jewish community

Marriage is highly revered and strongly encouraged in Judaism. The celibate life has never been considered more holy than the married life. In fact, one must be married in order to become a rabbi. Judaism's high view of marriage derives from its view of the home and family as the center of religious life. A traditional Jewish wedding is full of meaningful rituals, giving expression to the deepest significance and purpose of marriage. These rituals symbolize the beauty of the relationship of husband and wife, as well as their obligations to each other and to the Jewish people. In preparing for the wedding, the chatan (Hebrew for groom) and kallah (bride) should not only pay attention to the material and temporal aspects of married life, but should focus as well on ensuring their religious, spiritual and moral readiness for the future

Jewish Marriage- Judaism 101
Jewish Marriage- Guide to a Jewish Wedding
Jewish Marriage- The Jewish Wedding Ceremony
Jewish Marriage- The Jewish Wedding Guide
Jewish Marriage- Jewish Wedding Rites
Jewish Marriage- And Weddings
Jewish Marriage- Marriage and the Community

Mindmaps