Hi I just answered the 2017 Section 2 15 marker question in regards to Judaism. Would you be able to proofread it as the sample answers on the Bostes site aren't in reference to my significant person and practice (Marriage and Moses Maimonides) Thanks
(a) (i) Briefly outline ONE significant practice within Judaism from the following. (2 marks)
• Death and mourning
• Marriage
• Synagogue services
Marriage is the unifying bond between 2 Jewish adherents, an importance practice as before marriage, Jewish adherents are seen to be unfulfilled in life without a partner. Orthodox and Progressive Jews view the act of marriage differently, with each denomination becoming more lenient in regard to the rules surrounding marriage respectively.
(ii) What is the significance for the Jewish community of the practice outlined in part (a) (i)? (5 marks)
For Jewish adherents, marriage is more than just a legal bond; it is a blessed unification that fulfils the commandments set by G-d. This is conveyed in the 613 Mitzvots, whereas it states "take a wife by Kiddushin," indicating the importance of marriage for both the individual and community as this unification fulfils a commandments set by G-d, expressing the faith those wed have in G-d. For the individual, this bond signifies the beginning of a new family, which has the capacity to lead to procreation as it is taught in Genesis 1:28 "be fruitful and multiply." This sexual act is also significant within the community as it is by G-d's will that every family is to be fruitful, as it will expand the Jewish community and increase the number of Jewish adherents. For Orthodox Judaism, this unity in marriage is a significant part of both the individual's and communities' way of life. However, Orthodox Judaism is much stricter on the rules surrounding who can marry who. It is found in the Torah that mixed religion families are forbidden, with Orthodox Jews upholding this teaching, meaning that marriage between two Jewish adherents holds high significance in this denomination's community as it abides G-d's law. However, Progressive Jews are much more lenient with these rules, abiding more by their conscious to dictate who they believe should be wed. This holds significance in their community and for the individual as it allows the individual to marry whomever they want and continue to expand the Jewish community through this unity. Jewish adherents become 'one flesh' through marriage, both physically and spiritually.
(b) I command you today, to love the Lord your God, and to walk in His ways. Deuteronomy 19:9 Torah
How has ONE significant person or school of thought, other than Abraham or Moses, encouraged adherents to follow the command ‘to love the Lord your God, and to walk in His ways’? (8 marks)
Moses "Rambam" Maimonides was a Jewish scholar who had a major impact upon the Jewish faith that it even instigated the saying "From Moshe to Moshe, there arose none like Moshe," comparing the Prophet Moses to Moses Maimonides, a major honour in the Jewish faith. Thus, Rambam guided adherents with his scripture commentary, allowing Jewish adherents to follow the command 'to love the Lord your God, and to walk his way.'
The ease of access to the Jewish teachings is a major contribution of Rambam. Rambam did this through writing the Commentary on Mishnah and the Mishneh Torah. The Commentary on the Mishnah explained the link between learning Torah and putting it into practice. Within this Commentary Maimonides formulated the thirteen principles of faith which is recognised as a creed for Judaism. The Mishneh Torah contained the Book of Knowledge, concerning belief in God, idolatry, repentance and the study of Torah. Other 13 books detail Jewish ritual and civil laws e.g. blessings, circumcision, holy days, relationships, dietary laws and ethics. He also wrote the Guide of the Perplexed, a philosophical work attempting to reconcile the Jewish concept of God with the Aristotelian view of God. Furthermore, Maimonides compiled the 613 mitvutz into the Book of Commandments in order to make it easier for Jewish adherents to properly comprehend these rules that dictated their spiritual lives. Therefore, encouraging adherents to get closer to G-d by strengthening their faith. Maimonides' philosophical exploration of the faith and interpretation regarding a wide range of sources allowed for the development and overall survival of a religion which was under threat during his lifetime. Both Liberal and Reform Jews have a high regard for the philosophical works of Maimonides, his Commentary on the Mishnah making Jewish law easily accessible without large amounts of study of Talmud. This allowed the ease to follow the command 'to love the Lord your God, and to walk his way,' establishing a greater link between G-d and the Jewish adherents from past generations until now. His writings are still referenced due to their ease of understanding for all adherents and even Rabbi's hold his commentary in extremely high regard.
Moses Maimonides established the ease of access between the adherents and scriptures such as the Talmud. This entices Jewish adherents to properly follow their faith and be able to follow the important command 'to love the Lord your God, and to walk his way.'
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