Response Entry
Response Entry
The main difference between the visions of Judaism of Reform and Orthodox Denomination of Judaism is their approach to Torah. The Orthodox Judaism believes that Torah came directly from God. These five books, according to the orthodox can never be changed. They even believe that the teaching should be taken the way they are and there should not be an attempt to interpret them. To them the books contain the law and God is the giver of law. The God-given law should therefore be understood literally without any interpretation, (Eilberg-Schwartz, 2012).
The Judaism of the Reform form believe that Torah was written long time ago, and there have been changes in circumstances from then. It is therefore reasonable to interpret the Torah and apply it in accordance with the current circumstances.
How have Jewish thinkers tried to make some sense of Hitler’s killing of 1/3 of the Jewish population (about 6 million people) in the Holocaust/Shoah? Summarize in 3 perspectives.
The first perspective was that the Nazi felt oppressed. Before they went to the war, they believed that there were some communities that oppressed them. Their main target was the Jew. They believed that the Jews have claimed dominance for a long time, hence have been a threat to them.
The second perspective was that they did not want the Jew in Europe. The Jews believed that they were the chosen community. Hitler therefore must have killed them out of shear envy.
The Jewish comprised of the most intellects in Europe. They posed a threat to any ruling power. When the Nazi took control, they started killing the Jews to eliminate the possible threat from Europe.
What is the period of Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur and how are these high holidays observed?
Rosh Hashanah is the New Year for the Jews and Yom Kippur is the Day of Atonement. This period runs within ten days, starting with Rosh Hashanah and ending with Yom Kippur. Within the ten days, every Jew should consider the sins of last year and repent before the day of Yom Kippur ends (Eilberg-Schwartz, 2012). The Ten days are also known as the Days of Awe. Jewish believe that God has a book where He writes the names of those who will die and those who will live. He writes the names on the day of Rosh Hashanah. The Jews have ten days in the Days of Awe to repent to God. It is only within this period that God can change his decree.
What is Sabbath and how is it observed?
Sabbath is the seventh day of the week. Jews believe that when God was creating the earth, He did so in 6 day and rested on the last day. God therefore commanded that this day should be remembered and kept holly. Jews are not allowed to eat or work on a Sabbath day. This is the day set aside for God. It is the day of prayers and atonements.
Reference
Eilberg-Schwartz, H. (Ed.). (2012). People of the body: Jews and Judaism from an embodied perspective. SUNY Press.
