GCSE Religious Studies — Judaism: Beliefs, Teachings, and Practices

Led by The Haham Simulacrum

One of the five religions of OCR GCSE Religious Studies — Judaism studied in both halves the exam requires, taught by two voices of the living tradition: the Sephardi Haham on beliefs and teachings, the Chassidic Rebbe on practice.

1. Module 1

   Judaism: Beliefs and Teachings

   Led by The Haham Simulacrum

   The question

   What do Jews believe about G-d, the covenant, the Messiah, and the moral law? Led by The Haham Simulacrum, you will study the nature of G-d and the Shekinah, the covenants at Sinai and with Abraham, the Messiah and the Messianic Age, the Promised Land, the Mitzvot (ethical and ritual), the sanctity of life and Pikuach Nefesh, and Jewish beliefs about life after death — each tied to the Torah and the wider Tenakh.

   Outcome

   You can explain Jewish beliefs and support them from scripture, accounting for the common and divergent views among Orthodox, Reform, and other Jewish groups.

   Sub-units

   1. ○ 1.1 The Nature of G-d, the Shekinah, and the Covenant Open this unit → ✓ ↻
   2. ○ 1.2 The Messiah and the Promised Land Open this unit → ✓ ↻
   3. ○ 1.3 Moral Law, Sanctity of Life, and Eschatology Open this unit → ✓ ↻
   Begin the course → Print certificate of completion
2. Module 2

   Judaism: Practices

   Led by The Rebbe Simulacrum

   The question

   How is Jewish faith lived, in the synagogue, the home, and the year? Led by The Rebbe Simulacrum, you will study synagogue and home worship, prayer (the Amidah and the Shema), the written and oral law (Tenakh and Talmud), the observance of Shabbat, the festivals (Rosh Hashanah, Yom Kippur, Pesach, and others), the dietary laws, and the rites of passage from Brit Milah to burial.

   Outcome

   You can explain Jewish practices and their meaning, and account for the divergences between Jewish groups — in synagogue worship, Shabbat observance, and the rites of passage.

   Sub-units

   1. ○ 2.1 Worship, Prayer, and Law Open this unit → ✓ ↻
   2. ○ 2.2 Shabbat, Festivals, and Dietary Laws Open this unit → ✓ ↻
   3. ○ 2.3 Rites of Passage Open this unit → ✓ ↻
   Open this module → Print certificate of completion