Now that we have explored the major governing beliefs of Judaism - the belief in One God, the Moral Laws prescribed by God and The Covenant (initiated by Abraham and continued by Moses in his leadership of the Jewish people during and after the Babylonian Exile and in delivering the Ten Commandments) - let us now look at some of the other Jewish beliefs.
Read the information contained on the following links and then briefly summarise each in your own words, under separate sub-headings, in "Comments":
EXPERIMENTATION ON ANIMALS:
http://www.myjewishlearning.com/ask_the_expert/at/Ask_the_Expertanimal_experiments.shtml
REVELATION:
http://www.myjewishlearning.com/holidays/Jewish_Holidays/Purim/Themes_and_Theology/Hidden_God/A_New_Revelation.shtml
SEXUAL ETHICS:
http://www.myjewishlearning.com/life/Sex_and_Sexuality/Jewish_Approaches.shtml
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Phoebe Yang
ReplyDeleteExperimentation on Animals
Jewish law prohibits causing animals to suffer unnecessarily. (Exo23:5)However, human life is more important than the animals’ lives. Hence Jewish laws allow animal testing for life saving purposes.
Revelation
God does not always complete salvation but left humans to do part of the work. God does not operate by force but is present in our daily life and the redemptive process he planned requires humans’ efforts in order to complete the work. One example that demonstrates this fact is the book of Esther. There is no mention of God’s work in the book, but the redemption of the people was done through an ordinary girl.
Sexual Ethics
Judaism considers sex natural and holy because of the first commandment to Jews in the Torah to "Be fruitful and multiply". There are certain rules Jews follow but specifically for men and more lenient with female contraception. Jewish law also prohibits sex during menstruation and had other laws regarding adultery, rape and inappropriate sexual relationships (eg. Incest and bestiality).
Benjamin Plummer
ReplyDelete11 Edwin
Experimentation on Animals:
Jewish law regarding animals and animal rights, developed originally with beasts of burden such as oxen and donkeys in mind. This branch of Jewish law included instructions to unburden overloaded animals if you see them struggling etc. Later Rabbinic tradition extend this law so that it assured all working animals had suitable living and working conditions as well as adequate food and water. Modern Jewish laws regarding the testing of chemicals on animals allow animal testing, only so long as the testing is being carried out for medical purposes – the use of animals in cosmetic and cleaning tests is forbidden in Israel. The Jewish law of pikuah nefesh, or saving a life, requires that a Jew do everything possible - with the exception of murder, idol worship, and prohibited sexual acts - in order to prevent a person from dying. As a result, Judaism sanctions animal testing that could lead to life saving medicines, vaccines, and other treatments. Animal experimentation purely for the satisfaction of scholarly interest is not tolerated under Jewish law.
Revelation:
In the Book of Esther in the Jewish Bible, God plays a much less active role – this can be taken to mean that God has allowed humanity to take on a larger role in their relationship with God. Jewish revelations show that God cannot always operate in our everyday live, and that humans themselves must play a vital part in the eventual redemption that God has planned for them. This ‘human centric’ view is seen in the Book of Esther where an ordinary girl can be seen to play a vital part in the redemption of the people.
Sexual Ethics:
Judaism considers sex to be natural and holy, according to the first commandment in the Torah “Be fruitful and multiply”. Jews have several strict and detailed rules pertaining to sex, particularly regarding contraception. Jewish law prohibits the use of male contraception or masturbation regarding it to be a “waste of holy seed”, with masturbation being on the same level as murder in Jewish law. Laws regarding female contraception and masturbation on the other hand are a lot more lenient, as it results in no loss of “holy seed” (semen). Jewish laws naturally prohibit adultery, incest, bestiality and rape, with rape being originally a monetary offence, as the girl’s dowry would be lost. Sex during menstruation is also forbidden, as the woman is considered to be ‘unclean’. Jewish women may also reject a husbands sexual advances, and forbids a man pressuring his wife sexually.
Experimentation on Animals
ReplyDeleteVerse 23:5 from Exodus in the Torah explains to Jews that they must “unburden” an animal in suffering. This concept is an example of the Jewish teaching of tzaar baalei hayim, which relates to Jews unburdening animals in pain, especially working animals such as oxen and mules. Although the Babylonian Talmud and other rabbinical writings discuss how animals should be treated, the Jews believe that human life should be held above that of an animal. Jews believe that anything other than murder, idol worship or prohibited sexual acts should be undertaken to save the life of another. This means that Jews believe the harming of animals in order to save humans (eg. Through animal testing for medical cures) is tolerated, and that the harming of animals in order to train medical personnel is also accepted, as long as the animal is only experimented on for the purpose of learning a specific skill. However, some rabbinical authorities allow the suffering of animals for financial gain. Animal testing for cosmetics and cleaning products was banned in Israel in 2007.
Revelation
The holiday of “Purim” was rejected by fundamentalists as it lacked the “supernatural” element of other holidays such as Hanukah, where the miracle of the burning candle is celebrated. Instead, Purim centred on an ordinary female, meaning that it did not have God’s name in the scroll telling the story. However, Rabbis came to accept Purim as a holiday as they realised that God was the centre of life and the redemption process involving humans rather than a “force” appearing throughout history.
The traditional view of Purim is explained in the Talmud (in Exodus), where the Jews have just been freed from Egypt. When the Jews reached Mt Sinai, God held the mountain above their heads and willed them to accept the Torah or be buried under the mountain. The Jews accepted the Torah and therefore the Purim holiday, keeping their promise within the covenant at Mt Sinai.
Some Rabbis believed that the story in Exodus was flawed, as the Jews had been persuaded to accept the Torah. They believed that the Jews accepted the Torah due to the gratitude they felt towards God for their saviour from slavery. However, Post-Destruction Jews recognise the reacceptance of the covenant of Sinai as a covenant of redemption, as they see the work of God being brought through human messengers. Even though God did not perform any specific “miracles”, the ‘road to redemption’ still continues through the modern world.
In the Post-Holocaust world, Purim is seen as redemption in the re-creation of the state of Israel. Although “purists” wait for a supernatural miracle and become caught up on the miniscule details, others realise that the large loss of life during this period is a sign of redemption. Whether or not the redemption was full or partial, these Jews realise that they must be grateful for the redemption they receive and celebrate Purim to ‘perfect that redemption’.
Sexual Ethics
In general, Judaism teaches that sexual “union” should only occur through marriage. As the first commandment is “be fruitful and multiply”, Judaism sees sex as holy, although recognises that “One should know that sexual union is holy and pure when it is done as it should be, at the time it should be, and with proper intent”. However, contraception is not fully accepted as it interferes with “nature”, although female contraception is not prohibited.
The Talmud provides legal obligations and rules about sex and marriage, and states that a man may not pressure his wife sexually, and that the wife has the power to refuse. Other laws called Taharat HaMishpaca (translated as “family purity”) prohibit sex during menstruation as outlined in Leviticus 18, although the laws are being reinterpreted to better suit the modern day and age. Other sections of the Talmud detail laws about adultery (Exodus 20) and rape (Deuteronomy 5).
Despite being portrayed as “evil”, yetzer hara, or sexual drive is seen by Jews as something that can be “harnessed” to fulfill the natural and religious obligation as proposed in the first commandment of the Torah, “be fruitful and multiply”.
Experimentation on animals:
ReplyDeleteJewish laws have tackled the issue of animal testing through the biblical commandment in Exodus; "When you see the ass of your enemy lying under its burden and would refrain from raising it, you must nevertheless raise it with him." (23:5). It clearly states that they cannot cause animals unnecessary pain, even if it is for the benefit of a human.
Revelation:
In the book of Esther, in the Jewish bible God takes a much less active role and shows that humanity has a significant role in the partnership with God. This is proven in the holiday of Purim which is entirely natural and human made. Even though many fundamentalist disagreed with this holiday as it has no direct reference in the Torah, it was with the help of the rabbis that this was addresses.
Sexual Ethics:
In the jewish tradition sex is deemed natural and holy in a sense. Iggeret HaKodesh once said, "One should know that sexual union is holy and pure when it is done as it should be, at the time it should be, and with proper intent." They believe the sexual act between a male and female is approved as it staes in the Torah "Be fruitful and multiply," However what is hazy is the topic of contraception. The Jewish religion only condemns male contraception and are linient with female versions.
There is also no pressure aloud to be put on the males wife as she is allowed to reject her husband's sexual advances.
Kim
ReplyDelete1) Animal testing
In summary, there is a section of the Torah that restricts Jews from causing any intentional harm to animals. This is called “tzaar baalei hayim” and states that if one sees an animal in pain, it must rescue it. However, it also states in the Torah that the human race is far superior to any other species and one must do everything in his power to protect and save the human race. This law is considered more important and therefore means that animal testing is considered allowable if it is for the benefit of the human race. That is, if the animal in pain is used for experiments for the development of a product which may benefit humans (eg, medication), then it is acceptable under the eyes of God.
2) Revelation
“Purim” is a holiday which was originally rejected by the fundamentalist Jews because it did not include God as a miracle-worker, unlike Hanukah which celebrates God quite highly and focuses on the supernatural element of miracles. However, as time has gone by, Purim has come to be accepted as a Jewish holiday, because it symbolises God placing importance and power on humans controlling their destiny through their level of devotion.
3) Sexual Ethics
Traditional teachings claim that sex is a natural and holy process because of pro-creation. In the Torah, most of the laws regarding sex apply to men, as it states that men must fulfill their wife’s needs, and that they shall not waste any of their “holy seed” as it is the essence of life. This prohibits male contraceptive devices, however female contraception is allowed. Also, the Torah states that sex should only occur between husband and wife. When it comes to the man fulfilling the woman’s needs, it was interesting to note that the amount of sex required depends upon the man’s income. That is, a wealthy man is expected to please his wife every day, but a man of lower income needs only have intercourse once every six months. Jewish law also prohibits sex during the woman’s menstrual cycle as the woman is deemed “unclean”.
Experimentation on Animals:
ReplyDeleteIn Exodus it explains to the Jewish people they must “unburden” (free) and animal in suffering. Jewish laws also include instructions to unburden animals if you see them struggling, in pain etc.
Later tradition extends this law so that it assures all working animals had suitable living and working conditions as well as plenty food and water. However Modern Jewish laws allow testing of chemicals on animals, so long as the testing is being carried out for medical purposes. In Israel the use of animals in cosmetic and cleaning tests is forbidden. Also Jews believe that human life should be held above that of an animal. This means that Jews believe you can harm an animal in order to save humans, and/or for medical purposes (testing etc)
Revelation:
In the Tenak (Hebrew bible) God doesn’t play and active role (this is seen in the Book of Esther) and many people believe that God has allowed humanity to take on a larger role in their relationship with God. Mainly in the Jewish revelation God shows us that he can be in our everyday lives, and we have to follow God’s plan.
Sexual Ethics:
The Judaism religion considers sex to be holy and natural. This is seen in the first commandment in the Torah “be fruitful and multiply”. As we found out in our last class, Jewish laws prohibit the use of male contraception, but don’t have any laws for women contraception. Jews are against masturbation because they believe that it is a waste of ‘the holy seed’. Male masturbation in the Jewish law is seen on the same level as murder.
Female masturbation isn’t seen as ‘bad’ because there is no loss of the ‘holy seed’. Also sex during menstruation is also forbidden, as the woman is seen as unclean.
Chris Eid
11Edwin
Experimentation on animals-
ReplyDeleteThere is a Jewish biblical commandment, which applies to animals working and living conditions. However, in Jewish law, human life always takes precedent over animal life. As a result, Judaism sanctions animal testing that could lead to life saving medicines, vaccines, and other treatments. Some rabbinic authorities hold that it is acceptable to cause pain to animals for financial gain.
Revelation-
The holiday of Purim is a manmade phenomenon. The heroine is an “everyday person”. This holiday upset perfectionists and religious purists. Fundamentalists argue that the holiday was not given in the Torah. In the book of Esther, God takes a less vital role in the Jews lives and even hints at a partnership. Purim is a holiday of acceptance and redemption.
Sexual Ethics-
Due to the first commandment in the Torah, “Be fruitful and multiply”; sex is considered holy BUT only between a husband and wife. Contraception is more lenient with women than men. Sex is prohibited during menstruation as it is seen in Leviticus 18.
PRINCIPAL BELIEFS OF JUDAISM
ReplyDeleteEXPERIMENTATION ON ANIMALS
There are many Jewish laws that talk about the treatment of animals but one thing that can be learnt is that humans are more important to them then animals. This creates a problem as they Jewish also say that they will do anything except Murder, Idol Worship and Sexual Acts to save a humans life, because of this the Jewish can also look to say that experimentation on animals can help save human lives. So this one is unclear in what they truly believe in as they will gladly experiment to save human life but they are against mistreatment of animals.
REVELATION
God has now taken a step in becoming closer with the human beings but in order for this to happen then humanity must take a more active role in order to become closer to God. The holiday of Purim shows this as the humanity takes the active role in the relationship.
SEXUAL ETHICS
The first commandment in the Torah states ‘Be fruitful and multiply’. Sex may only be preformed between a husband and wife, but the Jews have no problem with it as long as it is done appropriately. Sex with a menstruating woman is classified as wrong as the ‘purity’ of the family will be gone through this act. Female contraception and masturbation is more lenient then it is on men, mostly due to the fact that ‘The Holy Seed’ is wasted in men unlike women.
Animal experimentation:
ReplyDeleteThe Jewish commandment ‘tzaar baalei hayim’ restricts Jewish people from causing animals unnecessary pain. (Exodus 23:5) In the Talmud it states that all creatures deserve decent living conditions and food. This being said, in Jewish laws human life always takes precedent over animal life. If a human being is dying and animal testing can save them, then an exemption to the commandment in exodus would be made. Medical experimentation may also be conducted, if it is directly needed to complete a student’s professional aspiration.
Revelation:
The Jewish holiday Purim is human produced and many debates about its relation to Judaism have been held. The dominant argument is that; in the Book of Esther in the Tenach, God plays a minor role, while a simple human woman takes the major role. This is meaningful to Jews as it shows that God was placing importance and allowing for a deeper relationship with his people. It shows that God cannot always take an active role in our lives and that humans must act in conformity to the covenant to see through to the redemption.
Sexual Ethics:
Judaism considers sex to be holy and natural. Tradition being followed allows only sex between husband and wife. The 1st commandment of the Torah is “be fruitful and multiply”. Jewish laws state that; male contraception is not allowed as it would be waste of the holy seed but are lenient for women. Women are allowed to reject their husbands sexually advancements. Also sex is prohibited if a woman is menstruating as the woman is deemed to be unclean.
experimentation of animals: Jewish laws have made many rules for animal experimintaion u can clearly see this in Exodus "When you see the ass of your enemy lying under its burden and would refrain from raising it, you must nevertheless raise it with him." it is saying you can not cause animals any unnecessary pain.
ReplyDeleteRevelations: the book of Esther depicts God of having a less effective role and the Jewish communtiy have a closer relationship with God. this can be seen in the holiday of purim which is human made.
Sexual Ethics: In Juaidaism sex is condiered to be natural and holy, the tradition can oly be betewwn a husband and wife. the 1st jewish commandment states “be fruitful and multiply”. a male using contraception if highly wrong as it is said to be a waste of the holy seed. for women alothough it is allowed they are also allowed to reject their usbands exual advances but it is forbidden if she is menustrating