Jewish Beliefs about the Torah (Cambridge International IGCSE Religious Studies)

The Torah as a source of authority

What is the Torah?

• The Torah is an important text and refers to the first five books of Moses:

  • Genesis
  • Exodus
  • Leviticus
  • Numbers
  • Deuteronomy

• The Torah, which includes the Laws, is the first section of the Tenakh

• The Torah contains the basis of all of the Jewish teachings and guidance on how to live a good Jewish life

• Jewish people believe they have a special responsibility to follow G-d’s laws or commandments (called mitzvot in Hebrew) because of the covenants they have made with him

• Maimonides, an influential rabbi, compiled a list of the 613 mitzvot because he wanted to provide a summary of Jewish law

  • This list is in the Sefer Madda, or Book of Knowledge, which is found within the Mishneh Torah

    • The Sefer Madda explains that the foundation of everything is G-d and that, therefore, moral principles should also originate from G-d

Why is the Torah a source of authority within Judaism?

• Orthodox Jews regard the Torah as the central revelation from G-d given to Moses on Mount Sinai in its final form

  • They believe it is as relevant to life today as it was on the day it was given
  • They try to keep the commandments set out in the Torah according to every detail and without changing anything

• Reform Jews also regard the Torah to be ultimately based on the central revelation from G-d

  • However, they do not consider the Torah to have been given to Moses at Sinai in its final form
  • The belief is that it was written by humans over a long period of time, based on their experiences with G-d and other human beings
  • Since humans formulated the Torah and adapted it to changing circumstances, it may contain contradictions and inconsistencies

The Torah as a revelation from G-d

Spec point — J2.3b

• The Torah is believed to be the Word of G-d, directly revealed to Moses by G-d on Mount Sinai

  • The Torah contains G-d’s laws, teachings and instructions for life

    • Most Jews view these as divine and perfect

  • The significance of the Torah means that it is central to Jewish life

    • It guides moral decisions, religious practices and daily behaviour
    • It is the source of the **613 mitzvot **(commandments)
    • It is studied regularly in yeshivot (Jewish schools) and** synagogues**

  • The Torah is also the foundation of worship within Judaism

    • It is read publicly in synagogue services, especially on Shabbat and festivals
    • It is treated with great respect, handwritten on scrolls, kept in the Ark and never touched directly

  • The Torah is also responsible for uniting the Jewish community

    • Shared beliefs and values from the Torah connect Jews worldwide
    • This is celebrated during Simchat Torah, when the annual reading cycle ends and begins again

The Torah as a source of moral principles

How is the Torah a source of moral principles?

• The Torah contains 613 laws, and these are the mitzvot

  • There are 248 positive mitzvot, which explain what Jews should do

    • These rules are known as mitzvot aseh

  • There are 365 negative mitzvot, which explain what Jews should not do

    • These rules are known as mitzvot ta’aseh

• Alternatively, the mitzvot can be divided according to their purpose

  • Ritual mitzvot explain what Jews should or should not do to avoid offending G-d, and they cover areas such as worship and festivals

    • These mitzvot form a personal covenant between a Jewish person and G-d
    • The first four of the Ten Commandments are the most important of the ritual mitzvot

  • Moral mitzvot explain how Jews should act when dealing with other people

    • They help Jews to live as a community in a way that G-d finds acceptable
    • The Ten Commandments are important mitzvot as they are the basis for moral behaviour

• Some laws are judgements from G-d, for example, “you shall not steal”

  • These are known as mishpatim

The importance of views about the Torah in Jewish life

How do views of the Torah impact Jewish life?

• Jews believe the Torah was revealed to Moses by G-d on Mount Sinai

• It is seen as a direct link between G-d and the Jewish people

  • The Torah guides belief, behaviour and worship and provides rules for:

    • Prayer and worship
    • Dietary laws (kashrut)
    • Festivals and Shabbat
    • Ethical behaviour(e.g. honesty, charity)

  • The Torah is also central to synagogue and community life

    • It is read regularly during synagogue services
    • It is stored in the Ark (Aron Kodesh) and treated with reverence
    • Simchat Torah celebrates completing the reading cycle

  • The Torah also guides Jewish identity

    • It shapes Jewish education, values and customs
    • It also connects Jews worldwide through shared teachings and traditions

Worked Example Explain how the Torah affects the daily life of Jews

[6 marks]

Final answer: Answer:

The Torah contains a lot of information guiding Jews on how to behave, and this influences how Jewish people act. For example, the Torah says, “Remember the Sabbath day and keep it holy” (Exodus 20:8), so Jews ensure they have a day of rest and attend the synagogue on that day

The Torah also advises Jews on dietary laws. Leviticus 11 states, “These are the animals you may eat … ” This informs Jews about observing kashrut

The Torah also guides Jews on helping others. The Torah states, “You shall not harden your heart … but open your hand” (Deut. 15:7), so Jews give tzedakah (charity) regularly to follow this law

Exam Hint Remember that the Torah is not just a holy book; it is a complete guide for life, shaping how Jews act, think and relate to others every day

To prepare for this section, revise specific examples of where the Torah gives guidance on how Jews should live and worship

Show understanding of both religious observance and ethical behaviour