sarah-jane+yr12

=Religion assignment 3= =__PAUL__=

//Q. Outline the contribution of Paul to the development and expression of Christianity (10 marks)//
===//A.// Apart from Jesus, Paul is the most influential figure in the New Testament. Within the New Testament thirteen of the twenty-seven documents are the letters attributed to Paul. More then half of the Acts of the Apostles describes Paul’s activities and his spread of the good news concerning Jesus. Christian missionary and theologian, Born in Tarsus, Cilicia, the Apostle of the Gentiles Paul recognised the message of Christianity beyond the Jewish faith. He had become an advocate for the adherents of Christianity; this meant he was a preacher to those of the Christian faith. __Contribution of Paul__ Paul, an important figure in Christianity; is widely considered to be a central point in the early development in the spread of Christianity westward from Jerusalem. He was the interpreter of the teachings from Jesus. Once Saul became Paul he decided to travel around Jerusalem and spread the word of the law. Jewish Christians believed, that non-Jews had to convert to Judaism, once converting they then had to follow the Law of Moses. These laws included the food laws and the tradition of circumcision. Acts 15 recounts the events of the council in c. 50 CE, when Paul challenged this belief; the council decided that Gentiles and Jews were followers of Jesus and call to them Christians. Paul was a teacher, a theologian, missionary, writer and a rebel in challenging the leaders of early church to make Christianity comprehensive. 1Paul’s writings together make up more then quarter of the New Testament. The letters, which he had composed, are what are known to be the earliest Christian writings. These archives are what are believed to have influenced the authors of the Gospels. Paul’s epistles (letters) were written to give guidance to the early Christian communities around the Mediterranean. The letters addressed the different communities needs and questions. Each of the epistles (letters) had been written in Greek, this was to encourage people in life and their faith.=== ===2Paul outlined the ethical demands of being a Christian. He had called the Church communities to collaborate and work and share with each other and the whole community. He had encouraged the Church communities to live the life modeled by Jesus Christ. Paul reminded them of the church and it being the body of Christ. His ethical teachings that modelled early Christian life was the importance of love, membership of the body of Christ, Christ’s call to freedom and responsibility and the physical self as the temple of the Holy Spirit. He had expressed Jesus Christ being the Holy One, the Lord of Creation, the second person in the Trinity. The ethical demands outlined by Paul are an important contribution to the development of Christianity because he had outlined the way in which adherents had to live their lives, to love God with all our heart, mind, body and soul and to love thy neighbour. This meant to love God and show compassion to those in the community, to not do them wrong but be fair to all those encountered with.=== ===The development of churches in the Hellenic (denoting Iron Age) such as Corthinth, Philippi and Antioch was established by Paul’s work as a missionary. This was significant to the development of Christianity because he had taken Christianity from a Jewish sect turning it into a seprate religious group reaching the known world, spreading across the east to Gaul, south to Egypt and north to Asia Minor. When using the name Christian he had spoken in a positive way, while those before him had used it in a derogatory way; this meant they spoke of the word Christian in a disrespectful way. 3Paul opened up a challenge to the very first adherents of Jesus; they were to accept the Gentiles and Jews into their community of the faithful. Allowing this had permitted freedom form the laws of Kashruth for the Gentile Christians, this had further encouraged the spread of the religion. This meant they no longer had to follow the dietary regulations of Judaism; food in accord with halachah (Jewish Law) only meat from particular species is permissible. Once Paul had opened up a challenge it became important to the contribution of the development of Christianity because it had allowed the spread of the religion, allowed it to finally be able to expand. His 4teaching on salvation about the resurrection of Jesus Christ is an essential part to the core of his theology. This had an impact on the later works of many theologians they included Saint Augustine, Martin Luther, John Calvin and Karl Barth. Paul had expressed to the adherents that Jesus was the Son of God; he teaches how Jesus had come to save man by guiding them to learn how to overcome the power of sin (Romans 6:22) Paul also explained how the combination of Jesus’ death and resurrection was the saving of man to cleanse all man of sin. This was extremely important in the development of Christianity because his explanation of the death and resurrection of Christ allowed the works of fellow theologians create their scriptures about Jesus Christ, form these scriptures more adherents would have been able to have an understanding of his work and have at least a basic knowledge of the importance of repenting and how Jesus died for our sins. Being 5a martyr for his faith Paul had exhibited to fellow adherents of Christ the importance of still keeping their religious faith. Even though Paul had been a Roman citizen and had been provided with protection because of it, his loyalty to Christianity had cost him his life during the reign of the Roman Emperor Nero.===

//Q. Analyse the impact of Paul upon Christianity (15 marks)//
===Within Christianity Paul of Tarsus’ is an important figure for denominations (religious groups) as his works were far-reaching. His work included his scriptural texts being his epistles, preaching to fellow communities of Jesus’ teachings and practices and converting others to become Christian. Many of his writings are still continuing to be a way in which Christians are able to learn about Christ and the significance for his coming to earth, his death and resurrection today. The significance or Paul’s work is that most of his work supports the Christian belief in salvation through trust in Jesus Christ. The most important contribution Paul had made to the establishment of Christianity was his formation of the written tradition of Christianity. Paul’s written form of Christianity was through epistles (letters) these documents stated how adherents should live their lives. Examples of his epistles (letters) are: The First Letter to the Thessalonians: His main purpose of this letter was to affirm to even grater progress in their new faith. Though Timothy noted some confusion regarding the second coming of Jesus and the fate of those Christians who would not be alive for the second coming of Christ. Paul insists that those adherents who die before then, they will still participate in the glorious coming of the Lord. “By the word of the Lord, that we who are alive, who are left until the coming of the Lord, will by no means precede (come before) those who have died.” He intended the letter to provide pastoral advice for the whole community, not just the inner circle of church leaders. This epistle was written with the Timothy being the co-author. In this letter the key themes addressed is the glimpse into the personal relationship that existed between Paul and the founding apostle and the Thessalonian Christians. The letter is a substitute for his personal presence among the Thessalonians, this allowed Paul to be able to encourage his converts and explain the misunderstandings; particularly those about the second coming of Christ. The First Letter to the Corinthians: Paul’s main purpose in this letter is the reinforcing of teachings of love from Jesus “love one another as I have loved you” it also is the dealings to the Jewish community, appropriate to the Gentile Christians. “Now in faith, hope, and love abide, these three; and the greatest of these is love” In this letter it is about love and is very community based. While composing this letter Paul’s co-author had been Timothy. As Paul stated in Romans 16:23- 1:26 “not many of you are wise by human standards, not many were powerful, not many were of noble birth” When writing this Paul had written as though conversing with uneducated people, the less fortunate, not of upper classes. He addresses some problems as well as questions that had arisen among the Christians at Corinth. Answers to questions dealing with benediction (prayer), travel plans, old and new covenants, life and death, warnings against unbelievers, reasons for generosity etc. were included. In this Paul had provided scriptural reflections and practical advice on the matters. These epistles (letters) composed by Paul were an important contribution to the development of Christianity because they became a valuable source to the interpretation of the teachings from Jesus; they had also helped the new churches discover their faith as a shared community. These epistles (letters) had later become the first writings of the New Testament; this provided the doctrine and ethical teachings of the Christian community. His writings had influenced the authors of the Gospels and theologians such as Saint Augustine and Martian Luther who were indebted to his work, as it defined the significance of Jesus as Christ our Saviour. 6Paul is considered to be Christianity’s second founder, the great interpreter of Jesus mission. He explained how Jesus himself never did, how the life and death of Jesus fitted into macrocosm (cosmos) of salvation, from the creation of Adam, to the very end of time itself. He had spread the message of Christianity in the Graeco-Roman world. This approach had lead to the concept of the universal church to open up to all, whether they be ‘Gentile or Jew, servant or free’ (Galatians 3:28) Throughout history many interpretations of Paul’s teachings eg. Protestant Reformation has been interpreted through different understandings of how this belief is expressed. This means was to allow Gentiles to have access to salvation, though it had lead to separations of the expression of Christianity today. Paul had made faith relevant to a variety of situations, this being culturally and religiously different from that of Jesus. The Graeco-Roman world had allowed the Christian communities to be permitted to meet in the house of churches. Within these houses they had been able to meet and provide room for all and be able to share a meal. Though the membership of this church was very difficult to achieve, it included nobility, wealth and tradespeople. Within his writings Paul had taught about the nature of Jesus, his human and divine. Paul had explained the theology of Christ and the church to the various church communities through the use of his epistles (letters) The clarity was unable to last as in 325 CE the nature of Jesus had been developed through the doctrine of the Holy Trinity. As a result in 1054 CE the Eastern-Western Schism had occurred by the disagreement about the nature and relationship of the Holy Trinity and the persons who it consisted of. The Eastern-Western Schism was a point in to of the major events in Christianity’s history. It was the split between the Eastern and Western churches, these become the Eastern Orthodox Church and the Western Roman Catholic Churches. The causes that contributed to the misunderstandings of the groups and division of the two groups were the differences of their philosophical understanding, language and custom. In his writings Paul had provided direction of how to live the life of a Christian, within his epistles (letters) it offered guidance in ethics. These ethics were those such as community-membership of the body of Christ and what is involved, religious practice and how to pay homage to the Last Supper and to remember the reason of Christs sacrifice (1 Corinthians 11:24) An example of how Paul had a major impact on Christianity was in his letter to Ephesians 5:29 – 33. In this letter Paul had written about how the ceremony of marriage had expressed Christian beliefs. His scriptural source from the New Testament states: 7“… for we are members of his body. ‘For this reason man will leave his father and mother and be united with his wife, and the two will become one flesh.’ This is a profound mystery – but I am talking about Christ and the Church. However, each one of you also must love his wife as he loves himself, and the wife must respect her husband.” (Ephesians 5:29 – 33) Paul’s teachings had been fundamental in the process of Protestant thinking. As a result Martian Luther had taken the concept of faith from Paul. John Calvin had looked to Paul for his the writings of his theologies, which were his teachings for the Christian teaching of the fundamental understanding of Christianity. His role in Christianity as a missionary had provided support for the biblical churches. Still today the different expressions of Christianity look to Paul for guidance and direction in understanding the role of women and sexuality. The scriptures that he had written are still used by adherents in today’s day and age, the understanding that comes from these scriptures help with the direction of how Christians should live their lives.===

__Bibliography__
===http://mb-soft.com/believe/txc/gschism.htm Daniel, J, Harrington, SJ (2008) Meeting St. Paul Today: Understanding the Man, His Mission, and His Message (1993) Division of Christian Education of the National Council of Churches of Christ, USA. http-//www.sullivan-county.com/news/paul/paul.htm http://www.essays.cc/free_essays/g3/xaj89.shtml Notes taken from class, exercise book. Textbook handed out in class: Studies of Religion HSC Course: Religious Tradition Depth Study 2 – Christianity FOOTNOTES__________________________________________________ 1 Textbook handed out in class: Studies of Religion HSC Course: Religious Tradition Depth Study 2 – Christianity pg. 274 2 Textbook handed out in class: Studies of Religion HSC Course: Religious Tradition Depth Study 2 – Christianity pg. 274 3 Textbook handed out in class: Studies of Religion HSC Course: Religious Tradition Depth Study 2 – Christianity pg. 274 4 Textbook handed out in class: Studies of Religion HSC Course: Religious Tradition Depth Study 2 – Christianity pg. 274 5 Textbook handed out in class: Studies of Religion HSC Course: Religious Tradition Depth Study 2 – Christianity pg.274 6 http-//www.sullivan-county.com/news/paul/paul.htm 7 Textbook handed out in class: Studies of Religion HSC Course: Religious Tradition Depth Study 2 – Christianity pg. 239===

Significant Person: Paul of Tarsus. · Read the following references. · What do they tell us about Paul?

Paul's Early Life · Acts 21:39 - Paul states that he is a Jew, born in Tarsus in Cilicia. He claims that he is an important person and for them to give him permission to speak to the people.

· 2 Cor 11:22 - Paul asks if they are Hebrew, Israelites and descendants of Abraham, if the answer was yes, he stated he was too.

· Phil 3:5 - Paul explains that he was circumcised after a week old; he was born an Israelite by birth. He is of the tribe of Benjamin, a pure blooded Hebrew.

· Acts 22:25-28 - Was whipped until stating that he was a Roman citizen.

Paul's Education

· Acts 23:6 - He announced to the fellow Israelites that he was on trial because he had hope that the dead would rise.

· Acts 22:3 - Paul states that he is a Jew, born in Tarsus in Cilicia. He explains how he had strict instruction to dedicate his life to God. He explains how he used to live his life persecuting Christians.

· Acts 8:3 - Its recounting how Saul used to go into houses and drag out the believers and throw them in prison in an attempt to destroy the Church.

· Acts 26:9-11 -Paul explains how before he converted he had everything against Jesus and received authority to put Christians in prison, who were then later sentenced to death.

· Acts 18:3 -It explains how Paul stayed and worked with them because he earns a living just as they do.

Paul's First Missionary Journey (Acts 13:1 - 28:31)

It was during Paul's first missionary activity that a turning point was marked in early Church history.

· What is this turning point? -

· Who were Paul's companions? -Barnabas -Mark

Read the account of Paul's first sermon in Antioch in Pisidia. (Acts 13:14-50) · What key events of salvation history does he mention? - Paul stands up and tells them they should speak the message of encouragement from the Law of Moses. - Paul addresses the Israelites and Gentiles. - When the people were asked to give a king they gave Saul son of Kish from the tribe of Benjamin. - John preached to the people of Israel - John explains the story of the Sabbath. - Paul and Barnabus leave the synagogue and hoped to spread the word of the Lord to the Jews though they rejected it, they decided to then go to the gentiles who wouldn’t

· What promises, made by God, does he review? -Those who believe in him will have eternal life.

· What does he preach about Jesus Christ?

- That the saviour will come, he isn’t the saviour he isn’t good enough to even take the sandals off his feet.

Read Acts 13:42-49.

· What was the response of many of the Jewish communities to Paul's message? -The Jews were filled with jealously that their was such a large crowd that had gathered to hear the Lord’s message.

· Who accepted Paul's message with open arms? - The gentiles were glad and praised the Lord’s message.

· Where did Paul's first missionary journey take him? - Paul’s missionary took him to the symagogue.

Activity 3:

Paul's Second Missionary Journey (Acts 15:36-18:23)

In this second journey Paul visited many of the places to which he later wrote his letters.

· Where did Paul's second missionary journey take him? (refer to OHP 2) - Pauls second missionary journey took him to Antioch, Tarsus, conium Lystra, Antionch, Mysia, Troas, Neapolis, Philippi, Thessalonica Berea, Corinth, Athens, Achaia, Ephesus and back to Jerusalem.

On his journey Paul established Christian communities. · In what places did Paul establish Christian communities to which later he wrote encouraging letters to strengthen their faith? -Paul established Christian Communities with Syria and Cilicia who later on he had sent letters to strengthen their faith.

Paul and his companions were branded with the title of ‘troublemakers’. · Give reasons for this title. “These men are Jews, and they are causing trouble in our city. They are teaching customs that are against our law; we are Roman citizens and cannot accept these customs and practice them.”

Activity 4:

Paul's Third Missionary Journey (Acts 18:23 - 21:17)

· Where did Paul's third missionary journey take him? -Paul’s third missionary journey took him to Corinth, Ephesus, Ptolemais, Patara, Miletus, Samos, Mitylene, Troas, Neapolis, Thessalonica, Berea, Athens, Achaia Corinth.

Paul spent about three years at Ephesus. · Read Acts 19:1-41. · What did he do during this time? -Paul had gone to the synagogue and spoke boldly to the people for months. He then left taking the believers with him. God had performed unusual miracles through Paul such as healing the sick. In Ephesus he had calmed the riot.

· Why did he eventually move on? -Paul eventually moved on because he had to leave to go to other places to encourage the people with many messages.

An important event occurred at Troas. · Read Acts 20: 6-12 · What does the reading tell us about the celebration of the Eucharist? -Through this reading its evident that it is teaching is an almost exact account of Jesus Christ and the Last Supper. When Paul ran upstairs and ate the bread it is because in the scripture it says ‘this is my body, which will be given up for you’, it has allowed the believers to have eternal life.

· What other significant occurrence is recorded? - The young man was alive and well once Paul left in the morning. The believers will have eternal life.

JUDAISM -ASSIGNMENT 2-

__//JEWISH MARRIAGE//__
Within the Jewish Religion there are two very important sacred texts, these are known as the //Torah// and the //Talmud//. The Torah is the first five books in the Bible, the most important part of Jewish scripture, their teachings / laws. Where as the Talmud is the second most important text, it is referred to as the oral law and lore. These are the traditions and the beliefs.

In Judaism marriage is held at a very high esteem and in doing so looks at the responsibilities and not the rights of the couple. The biblical base of marriage is outlined within the Torah, one of the most important scared texts within the Jewish religion. Both the sacred texts of the Torah and the Talmud state that marriage is the ideal human state, a man without a wife or a woman without a husband is viewed as being incomplete. Marriage is considered as holy, ‘//kiddushin//’, which in Jewish literature means satisfaction of life. Getting married is so important as it is seen as spiritual bonding between two people, as well as a fulfillment of God’s commandment.

A marriage is considered as a great celebration in Judaism, without a wife a man is incomplete. Becoming married serves a purpose of propagation of the human species, to fulfill the command given in Genesis. (1:27-28) ‘Go forth be fruitful and multiply’ To marry and to have children is in the very first and most important fulfillment of the Torah, while the second is to have companionship; which can be physical as well as spiritual fulfillment. The deepened love between man and wife can be expressed through the physical act of sex, not just as a way of producing children.

Today there are many contemporary issues with Jewish marriage including egalitarian marriage, same sex marriage and marriage to a non-Jew. //Orthodox// Jews do not see egalitarian marriage, as the husband and wife are considered to be equal and in so their //Ketubah// is written. The ketubah is the marriage contract between a man and women that states a husband’s obligation to his wife. As for same sex marriages it is forbidden as written in the Decalogue and the Bible, God created one man and one women to bear children together; not two men or two women. (Lev.18) Although //Reform// actually acknowledges the adherents choice of same sex marriages. A person who is not of the Jewish faith cannot be married in a //synagogue//. It becomes very controversial when a Jewish //adherent// marries another who is not of Jewish faith. This is because in the Jewish faith their religious traditions are carried on through the women once she gives birth, the child is born a Jew. Becoming married to a non-Jew on the other hand is called ‘out-marriage’ meaning marring out of faith. Marriage is held at a high esteem, which is clearly expressed through the Hebrew word for marriage ‘Kiddushin’ meaning satisfaction. The eternal covenant with Israel is often compared to marriage, something that is life long. Starting from the very beginning with Adam and Eve, Gods design for men and women; men should always cherish their women in an interment relationship. The man has the ultimate responsibility to provide for the women.

In ancient times, there were two distinct ceremonies of betrothal and marriage. Now days, these two ceremonies have been combined into a short marriage service. Symbols are used throughout the service ceremony is held under a //chuppah// (canopy) which may symbolise the Garden of Eden or the couples future home, the //Ketubah// which is a marriage contract between man and wife.

The marriage ceremony is conducted by a rabbi, though it doesn’t always have to be. In Orthodox communities, a couple fasts until their wedding service; during this time they both pray and ask for forgiveness for all the wrongs they have done. They do this so their new life may be started with a ‘clean slate’.

__//The Preparation for the Ceremony + Chupah Ceremony (Wedding)//__
- Once the guests start to arrive the //Kallah// (bride) and the //Chatan// (groom) are greeted in separate rooms. This is because the couple is not allowed to see each other one week prior to the wedding, until the //Badeken// (veiling ceremony)
 * //The Kabbalat Panim (Greeting the bride and groom)//


 * The groom’s reception area (//Tena’im//) keeps the official engagement document. For the signing of the Ketubah there must be two official witnesses to the ceremony.


 * The two fathers escort the Chatan to the bride for the //Veiling of the Kallah//.


 * The placing of the veil over the Kallah’s head ends the preparation for the wedding ceremony. The Chatan is escorted by the two fathers his Kallah, once there the veil is gently lowered onto her head. By custom both fathers then bless the Kallah. This is symbolic of the //matriarch Rebeccah// and the covering of her face when first encountering Isaac.


 * The //Unterfirrers// (parents) then escort the Kallah and Chatan to the //Chupah// (canopy) each carrying a lit candle. The candles are symbolic of the light flickering during the giving of the Torah. When G-d gave Israel the Torah under the ‘Chupah’ of //Mount Sinai//, G-d being the Chatan and Israel being the Kallah.


 * After the signing of the Ketubah the couple are escorted to the //huppah//. The couple escorted by their parents.


 * When the wedding begins the couple stands under a beautifully decorated //huppah// or //chupah// (canopy). This is the third symbol, a symbol of the home they will share. Four people can hold up the huppah, each holding a pole. The huppah is open to show to their guests that their home is open to visitors.


 * The service begins once the rabbi repeats a blessing over a cup of wine (symbol of sanctification, joy and abundance); after the blessing has been completed it is handed to the Kallah and Chatan to sip from the cup. In non-Orthodox ceremonies the couple exchange their own vows following this.


 * Next the ketubah is read out loud in Arabic. This is a marriage contract, this contract states the husband’s obligations to his wife and that he will agree to look after her at all times.


 * The Chatan then places a ring on the Kallah’s finger repeating the words: “Be consecrated / sanctified (binding) unto me by this ring according to the Law of Moses and Israel.” If the couple is non-Orthodox a ring is often placed on the Chatan’s finger also. As this is more modern it would have no basis to tradition, this is often seen in Reform marriages.


 * Following this is the //Sheva Berakhot// (Seven Benedictions), this is symbolic of the seven orders of nature, including time (weeks of seven days), space (seven heavens) and being (seven emotional attributes). Not only the seven orders of nature but also God who created everything in his glory, humanity and humans in his image. During the //berakhot// the Chatan chants over the cup of wine as the Kallah circles him seven times. As the groom continues to pray the bride circles him to break down any walls that may be between them. This act is recalling when Joshua circled Jericho bring down its walls.


 * Finally after the conclusion of the blessings the couple once again sip from the cup, while one of the guests finish the rest of the wine.


 * The //rabbi// thanks God for creating humans and for the couple’s future happiness.


 * At the end of the service the groom then shatters a tightly wrapped glass with the heel of his foot. Traditionally this custom is done in remembrance of the destruction of the temple in //Jerusalem//. This gesture is done to insure good fortune (//mazel tov//) to the couple and to rid the ceremony of any evil spirits who may be lurking in the surrounding area of the wedding.


 * Once the marriage ceremony has ended the newly married couple are allowed to have a few minutes alone together in a separate room and have something to eat if they have fasted before the service.


 * Then they go back to celebrate with their wedding guests. In some traditional communities these celebrations last for a week. The couple are invited to their friends and families homes every night for a week to be their honored guests and share a specially prepared meal.

In the Jewish faith they allow divorce though they usually go through great efforts to save the marriage. Friends, family and the Jewish community assist in helping the couple sort out their difficulties. If the couple cannot manage to keep their marriage together a //get// (certificate of divorce) must be issued. A trained scribe must write this certificate on parchment. The get informs of details such as when they divorced. Only then once this has been done can a Jewish marriage be ended. If the divorce has been done in civil court it is not considered valid (unless in Israel) and the couple are still married. Once the couple’s get has been issued either person is free to remarry if they chose.

Marriage is focused on the ketubah, the spiritual connection for both of the individuals within the marriage; strengthening the connection they have with the traditions and beliefs in Judaism. Every part of the wedding ceremony is for the couple to understand that God has control over the lives of the couple. The ring is symbolic of the //bri’t// between God and //Abraham//. The //Sheva Berakhot// reminds the couple of the blessings from God for them and the community. It reminds them of who created them by giving them life, who brought the couple together and who will bless them throughout their lives; just as God had blessed Abraham and the Jewish people for centuries.

The significance of a marriage for the community is for all those who are part of the family the ceremony become part of their life. To conceive children is the creation and maintaining of family it is one of the most important aspects in the Jewish community. It is the continuing of the religion passed down from generation to generation. A Jewish marriage allows the whole community to benefit from the coming together of the individual family members within the community. When a Jew marries they enter the world of the Jewish community, which they must show the concern for the Jewish people and to care for the responsibility of complete strangers. When a man and wife become married the couple has a new voice, they enter into marriage taking on new responsibilities for the Jewish community and its future. Becoming married within the Jewish community helps the couple to comprehend the central beliefs within Judaism more clearly. The expression of love are important in bringing people together and maintaining traditions, which is the most vital part of Judaism.

BIBLIOGRAPHY

http://judaism.about.com/od/weddings/a/all_marriage.htm

-Information from slide show in class

-Notes handed out in class/ feed back from Mr Pate

-Studies of Religion, Religious Tradition Depth Study 1- Judaism: Course Reading & Learning Booklet pgs. 47, 48, 51, 53, 54, 59, 61, 63

-Rabbi Roy A. Rosenberg, (1990) Concise Guide To Judaism, History, Practice, Faith, Penguin Books, 375 Hudson Street, New York pgs. 199 – 201

-S.Penny, (2000) World Beliefs and Cultures: Judaism, Reed Educational and Professional Publishing, 90 Tottenham Court Road, London pgs. 40 – 42

Sarah-Jane Reid 12.5


 * __Define ethics__**

Ethics are ideas about worthy human context, determining right from wrong and knowing the difference while acting on it. Religious ethics spell out principles of guidance in how we must live. Each has set standards and directions for which one must live eg. The Torah is the Bible for Greek Orthodox Jews, it is their cultural guide for a good life.

__**Define bioethics**__

Bioethics are the ethics of medical and biological research, the Torah especially the Decalogue provide reasons for Jewish ethics. Eg. Abortion is generally acceptable, but only if the mothers life is at risk; the debate still remains about the foetus being human.


 * __Identify the main teachings and their sources (eg. Torah, Talmud etc) that are applied to the issues__**

The sacred texts within Judaism have their focus on the main teachings of medical and bioethics. The basic ethical principles of when life begins, definition of death, transplantation and organ donation, issues of organ donation, euthanasia, stem cell research, bioethics, abortion, sexual ethics, relationships, birth control, fertile technology, IVF, homosexuality and rural uncleanliness.

Judaism’s ethical issues are determined through the Torah, as well as the beliefs and lives of the adherents. The religion is based on the commands and principles that are contained within their sacred texts. Adherents are called to honor the bri’t between God and their relationships with other people, the term halachah is used to refer to the way Jews are to live. The halachah provides the basis for the ethical issues and moral ways in which the Jews are to live. Within the Halachah is the 613 Mitzvot that are contained in the Torah. These Mitzvot are the commandments which the Jewish adherents are to live by. These 613 principles are have been influential to many scholars, the most influenced was Moses Miamonides. The guide to ethical behavior is the Decalogue, this focuses on God and respect for other people.


 * __Describe the Jewish teachings that specifically relate to the issue of Abortion within Judaism__**

Within the Jewish religion abortion is not forbidden, although it dose not permit abortion on demand; it can only be permitted for serious reasons. Abortion is only permitted in cases where the mothers life is at serious risk, where the pregnancy were it to continue could kill the mother.

Their view is it’s permitted only if there is a direct threat to the mother. The embryo is considered as a risk of killing the mother, therefore is able to be aborted. If it is a result of rape or adultery, the mothers emotional and physical health is taken into account. If the embryo is effecting health her it’s allowed to be aborted. The Mishneh states that in the first forty days of the mother falling pregnant the fetus isn’t fully human. So having an abortion or miss carrying the embryo is not the killing of a person. In Deuteronomy the sixth Decalogue is “Do not Kill” the fetus isn’t concerned a human of equal rights till after birth. When the babies head has finally appeared out of the mother, the babies life is then equal to that of it’s mother. Therefore one cannot be chosen over the other.


 * __Describe the Jewish teachings that specifically relate to the issues of Euthanasia with Judaism__**

The teaching within the Jewish religion is that one must struggle until the last breath of life, one has to live, rejoice and give thanks to the creator. Jews believe that God is the source of all life, only he can take life away. The Jewish law regard human life as sacred, it is wrong for anyone to shorten another human life because our lives are not ours to dispose. God made all human beings we are Gods creation only he can take us away. Within law Euthanasia is forbidden, it is regarded as murder. There are no exceptions for this rule. If a person is only being kept alive by a ventilator it is allowed to be switched off as it is only stopping the natural process of death. The closing of eyes or the moving or limbs is not allowed as it is considered to be speeding up the process and is probhetted.