1. What do Jews believe about God?
Lesson objectives:
To know that Jews believe in one God
To understand what Jews believe about God and how Jews believe they can become closer to God
To consider your own thoughts about the importance of following rules in Judaism

2. Key words Shema – a prayer used by Jews which shows belief in one God
Mitzvot (singular Mitzvah) - Jewish religious laws/commandments
Torah – the Jewish books of the Law, the first five books of the Tenakh.
Shabbat – the Jewish holy day.

3. What do Jews believe about God?

4. What do Jews believe about G_d?
In the middle of your page, draw the word ‘G_d’
Using the information on pages 48-49, as well as from the video clip, create a spider diagram, writing down all of the things that Jews believe about God, including how they grow closer to God.
Extension: do you think following rules can help you get closer to God? Give reasons for your answer

5. The Mitzvot
Jews believe that the Torah and the mitzvot come directly from God.
By following them, they can know more about God and what He wants.
The mitzvot cover all areas of life, such as justice, food and festivals

6. The Shema and the Mitzvot
Read over the Shema and answer the following questions:
1) Why do you think Jews say the Shema every morning and every evening?
2) Why do you think Jews are instructed to tell the Shema to their children and put it on their door frames?
3) Why are the commandments (mitzvot) so important to the Jews? (see p49)
Extension: what are the benefits and potential dangers of saying the Shema so frequently?

7. ‘The Torah is thousands of years old so it is out of date
‘The Torah is thousands of years old so it is out of date. The mitzvot should not be that important today’.
Write an answer looking at both sides of the argument and a final paragraph explaining your own view.
This is to be completed for prep.