Religion 212 - Discussion Six - Week 6

Judaism: God, the Hebrew Bible, the Messiah and Jewish Mysticism

Discuss the concept(s) of God found in Judaism and in the Hebrew Bible. Briefly discuss the “special covenant” between the Jewish people and God. Name at least two examples of this covenant in the Jewish religion.

The concept of God found in Judaism must be formalized and acknowledged that it is affiliated with the Jewish nation and the Hebrew Bible. As such the religious calling is affirmed as Israel who answers the call of God by being obedient and striving to please the Almighty One through the Torah that was given to Moses at Mt. Sinai and relayed to the patriarchs and prophets. Also, God is seen as a transcendent Creator, Supreme Deity known as “Yahweh”, omnipotent and caring God and Creator of the Universe.

The “Special Covenant” between the Jewish people and God symbolizes the belief inducted into Jewish theology of a special relationship between Jewish people and God. As referred there is an accountability between the two – one for them (Jewish people) to serve God, obey and for God to acknowledge and hear their prayers and come to their aid. Because of his love and honorary conduct a covenant was comprised because Abraham beseeched mercy for the Jewish people to God (His Father). As with Abraham, Noah also beseeched the Lord God for protection because of his being the only righteous man on Earth at that time for fear of his life, family and the little ones (all of God’s creatures).

Briefly discuss the Jewish conceptualization of the Messiah. Try to resist deferring to the Christian concept and give some space and attention to the Jewish concept.

The Jewish conceptualization of the Messiah (Jesus) involves the belief that a savior would come to end evil times and establish peace throughout. Further that through Jesus his Father God would help the chosen people and free them from oppression and reinstate their legacy in the land of Israel. Also, because Jesus was a Jew and many Jews never accepted Christians assertions that he was the Messiah they were hated for his murder and betrayal and for preventing his continual Messianc successes.

Research and share something about Jewish mysticism.

Jewish mysticism involves the state of yearning for the fervent outporing and experience of God’s love and the Love of God and as such is underwritten in the writing of biblical prophets as well as incorporation in the Talmud. It is also an integral part of the Torah and one of the sub-subjects are the Kabbalah and its teachings or instructions. Included are miraculous unexplained occurrences or events, experiences, visions and the supernatural. Further the Kabbalah is a theological study which includes ontology, cosmogony and cosmology and as such it is the heart and soul of the Torah that allows the inner revelation of the Divine and purpose of the Torah and mitzvahs.

Thank you.

Felicia

http://www.chabad.org/kabbalah/article_cdo/aid/380317/jewish/Uniqueness-of-Jewish-Mysticism.htm

Response to Co-Student

I disagree that Judaism is a covenant meaning rebirth. It is a religion that was born and created for the Jewish people held in bondage in Egypt. This religion started when God relayed to Moses the Ten Commandments, the Talmud and Torah.

Also, I feel that it relays that Judaism should retain the old ways, rituals and standards but be alert to danger from the changing world, temptations and evil within.

Otherwise, I agree with the rest of your post that all souls were present within the body and out and heard our God's commands and bowed acquiesce.

Thank you.

Felicia

Response to Professor

Judaism as a religion that is intricate, vast and very detailed is reflective of referring to God in a variety of names but are agreeable that there is only one Supreme Deity. As such these pluralities reflect that the Father is one and all of these names and is same.

The plurality of "im" is a singular indication despite the fact that it stands for a masculine plural noun. There is only one God that is the Creator and fulfiller of all. Further due to the interpretation and translation this is where the confusion is but it is established that it stands for one God only without indication of plurality or other gods because there are no others. Just the one "him".

Thank you.

Felicia

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Elohim

Response to Professor

According to the Book of Genesis, the earth was a formless void which means that it was planet without life and or ability to sustain life. It was also without light - a sphere that was covered with waters.

God saw that it was good and separated the waters from the land and the sky with day and night.

Thank you.

Felicia

Response to Professor

There is only one account of the creation of the world and all that it consists of (all animal life, insects, plant life and any other living matter on earth).

Thank you.

Felicia

Response to Professor

When Jesus asked the Jewish leaders in the synagogue "Who do they say that I am?"

Thank you.

Felicia

Expounded on per Request of Professor

When Jesus asked the Jewish leaders in the synagogue "Who do they say that I am?" As per this excerpt it gives a supportive and peek into the interrogation of Jesus when he was being beaten and questioned who he was as follows:

"In the Gospel accounts, Jesus speaks very little, and gives very infrequent and indirect answers to the questions of the priests, prompting an officer to slap him. In Matthew 26:62, the lack of response from Jesus prompts the high priest to ask him: "Answerest thou nothing?" In the Gospel accounts, the men that hold Jesus at the high priest's house mock, blindfold, insult and beat him, at times slapping him and asking him to guess who had hit him that time.

Mark 14:55-59 states that the chief priests had sought witness against Jesus to put him to death but did not find any, so they arranged false witness against him, but their witnesses did not agree together. Mark 14:61 states that the high priest then asked Jesus: "Art thou the Christ, the Son of the Blessed? And Jesus said "I am", at which point the high priest tore his own robe in anger and accused Jesus of blasphemy. In Matthew 26:63, the high priest asks: "tell us whether you are the Christ, the Son of God." Jesus responds "You have said it", prompting the High Priest to tear his own robe, breaking Mosaic Law (Leviticus 21:10).
In Luke 22:67, Jesus is asked: "If thou art the Christ, tell us. But he said unto them, If I tell you, ye will not believe". But, in 22:70, when asked "Are you then the Son of God?", Jesus answers "You say that I am", affirming the title Son of God. At that point, the priests say "What further need have we of witness? for we ourselves have heard from his own mouth", and they decide to condemn Jesus.

Thereafter, in Pilate's Court, the Jewish elders ask Pontius Pilate to judge and condemn Jesus–accusing him of claiming to be the King of the Jews."

reference:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sanhedrin_trial_of_Jesus

Response to Professor

The conventional concept of God stands because he (The Lord) can manifest himself and present himself in anyone presence. Not only is he an omnipotent God he is Omega, Delphi and Alpha, the Supreme Divine entity that is Almighty. As such, it supports the orthodox view of God in Judaism and other religious practices.

Thank you.

Felicia