Question: REFLECTIONS 4-5, Mini-CHECK UP
How was the period of Egyptian enslavement a THREAT to the covenant AND to God’s identity and trustworthiness? Correct Answer: The 10 commandments were considered an ethical code. If they were disobeyed then there would be consequences for their actions. Enslavement made it difficult because escaping would require some commandments to be broken. This made it look like God trapped them into enslavement.
Question: How does the Moses covenant BOTH support the Abrahamic covenant AND add a new qualification? In your response, refer to the “one-way” and the “two-way” covenants?
Correct Answer: The Moses covenant supports the Abrahamic covenant by reinforcing the promise of land and protection. It adds a new qualification by establishing a two-way relationship where the Hebrews must follow God’s laws to receive His blessings.
Question: What do the following terms/names mean? Moses (mosheh), Yahweh, exodus, Passover/Pesach?
Correct Answer: Moses means savior, son, and deliver. Yahweh means God. Exodus is the Greek word for escape. Passover is a celebration of the Israelites’ freedom from Egypt.
Question: Identify the following places and terms: Judah, Israel, Jews, Messiah, Diaspora.
Correct Answer: Judah: Founder of the Judah tribe for the Israelites. Israel: A nation that is chosen by God. Jews: Followers of the Jewish faith. Messiah: The anointed one who is expected to deliver the Jews. Diaspora: The scattering of Jews beyond Israel.
Question: Why do we stop using the label “Hebrews” during this period?
Correct Answer: The term “Hebrews” was no longer used when Israel was established.
Question: REFLECTIONS 6-7, Mini-CHECK UP
The occupation of the “Promised Land” represents a fulfillment of the Abrahamic covenant. How is the destruction, division, and deportation of the North and the South BOTH a threat to the Abrahamic promise/covenant AND a fulfillment of the Mosaic promises/covenant? Correct Answer: It was the division of the Hebrews that complicated things. The covenant was a promise for land and protection but yet in the end the conquerors were the ones who were conquered. The Israelites were disappointed because they felt as if God abandoned them.
Question: Review the previous discussion on the 10 commandments and explain (again) how killing and stealing from the native inhabitants of Canaan is NOT a violation of the commandments, “Thou shall not kill; Thou shall not steal”
Correct Answer: It is a violation of the commandments, however, God made an exception with the Israelites. God made this exception because to fulfill his promises the Israelites had to take action which required them to bend the rules.
Question: What is their view of God/Yahweh during this period of life in the promised land?
Correct Answer: Their new view of God is that he is the God of all people and all lands.
Question: REFLECTION 8, Mini-Check Up
Explain the following labels: Levitical, Rabbinic, Diaspora, TANAK, Torah, Nevi’im, Ketuvim, Dome of the Rock, Wailing Wall. Correct Answer: Levitical: Pertaining to the Levites, the tribe of priests in Israel. Rabbinic: Relating to rabbis or their teachings. Diaspora: The dispersion of Jews beyond Israel. TANAK: An acronym for the Hebrew Bible. Torah: The first five books of the Hebrew Bible. Nevi’im: The Prophets, the second section of the Hebrew Bible. Ketuvim: The Writings, the third section of the Hebrew Bible. Dome of the Rock: An Islamic shrine in Jerusalem. Wailing Wall: A place of prayer and pilgrimage in Jerusalem.
Question: Explain how the Jew’s self-identity and God-identity changed following their return from captivity (with the help of the Persians), followed by a new interpretation and editing of their scriptures.
Correct Answer: The Jews’ self-identity and God-identity were strengthened as they saw their return from captivity as a fulfillment of God’s promises and a sign of His faithfulness. This led to a renewed focus on the laws and a more stringent interpretation of their scriptures.
Question: REFLECTIONS 9-10, Mini-Check Up: Responses to Diaspora and Persecution
How is the continued persecution and displacement of the Jews during the Medieval and Modern Period a threat to their religious self-identity? HINT: Think Covenant, Promise… Correct Answer: The Jews have always struggled and have been through several challenges since biblical days. They are supposed to be God’s chosen people yet they face such hardships. Some of them feel as if God has abandoned them.
Question: Define and describe: Pogroms, Ghettos, Zionism, Holocaust.
Correct Answer: Pogroms: Organized massacres of Jews, particularly in Eastern Europe. Ghettos: Segregated Jewish areas in cities. Zionism: The movement for the re-establishment of a Jewish homeland in Palestine. Holocaust: The genocide of six million Jews by Nazi Germany during World War II.
Question: Name and Describe the FOUR main Jewish identities/groups.
Correct Answer: Ashkenazi: Jews of central or eastern European descent. Sephardi: Jews of Spanish or Portuguese descent. Mizrahi: Jews of Middle Eastern descent. Orthodox: Jews who adhere strictly to traditional beliefs and practices.
Question: The Jewish responses to European Persecution were Fundamentalism, Humanism, Rationalism, and Mysticism. Describe each.
Correct Answer: Fundamentalism: Strict adherence to traditional religious beliefs. Humanism: Focus on human values and concerns rather than religious beliefs. Rationalism: Belief in reason and logic as the primary source of knowledge. Mysticism: Belief in the direct, personal experience of the divine.
Question: BONUS Mini-Check Up:
Name and Describe ONE of EACH of a Jewish Rite of Passage, a Remembrance Holiday, and a Doctrine (about God, themselves, or their scriptures). Correct Answer: Rite of Passage: Bar/Bat Mitzvah – A ceremony marking the coming of age for Jewish boys/girls. Remembrance Holiday: Passover – Celebrates the liberation of the Israelites from Egyptian slavery. Doctrine: Monotheism – The belief in one, all-powerful God.
Question: Reflection #3. Name TWO examples of an ‘axis mundi’ (a central place/space/city) that is considered more powerful and/or sacred to certain groups of people (ancient or modern). You can think of specific religious sites or secular sites that demonstrate how fundamental this idea still is, even outside of our ‘institutional’ religions.
Correct Answer: Mount Kunlun and the Ka’ba in Mecca
Question: Reflection #5 – In basic religions, which of the following would be considered part of our life’s sacred purpose?
Taking care of the land Taking care of one’s family Taking care of one’s ancestors through prayers and offerings Respecting the spirits and gods Planting Crops Hunting only the 3rd and 4th responses above all of the above none of the above; purpose is unique to each person. Answer Options: Taking care of the land Taking care of one’s family Taking care of one’s ancestors through prayers and offerings Respecting the spirits and gods Planting Crops Hunting only the 3rd and 4th responses above all of the above none of the above; purpose is unique to each person. Correct Answer: all of the above
Question: Reflection #7. Even among people who are not ‘superstitious’, we find remnants of superstitions or primal thinking that, thousands of years ago, would be called magic. How many can you identify in your daily life? List at least five examples of superstitions, primal or magical thinking, habits, or events.
Correct Answer: Throwing salt over your shoulder for good luck. Knocking on wood. Breaking a mirror brings seven years of bad luck. Finding a penny heads-up is good luck. Avoiding walking under ladders.
Question: Reflection #2. Time to Review and Test Yourself: Name AND describe at least three of the earliest signs of spirituality among our ancient ancestors? Then give several examples of their modern equivalents that demonstrate how these objects and behaviors are still used and viewed as special or sacred.
Modern Forms of 1,2 and/or 3: __________________ Correct Answer: Graves for the deceased. Cave paintings Mathematics Modern form of 1 would be a proper funeral. Modern form of 2 would be art in general. Modern form of 3 would be using mathematics to help further advance mankind.