Decalogue Jewish Traditions Our conscience helps us make decisions and as we grow our conscience matures; as children our choices tend to be self-centred based on our immediate, physical needs. Discernment between right and wrong becomes easier as we develop but it still remains difficult to discern between the shades of grey, when there is not one right answer. The ethical teachings found in the Old Testament helped shape ancient Jewish society and are reflected in the teachings of Jesus. The Decalogue (Ten Commandments) can be broken into two groups - 3 guidelines for loving God and 7 guidelines for loving your neighbour. They are all inteconnected with attitudes of jealousy, potentially leading to stealing, then killing, which defy the teachings of your parents and therefore, God. What advice do you think your parents would give you about being a good person?
The Shema Jewish Torah - Love your Neighbour The Golden Rule Greatest Commandment The Shema prayer is a central prayer for Jewish people, prayed by many Jewish people three times a day. It includes instructions to always have God at the centre of your being, telling your children of God's love and describing rituals such as wearing the tallit and tefillin as visual reminders. The Shema prayer and the quote from Leviticus about loving your neighbour as yourself were the basis for Jesus' response to the question, "Which (of the 613 Jewish laws) was the greatest commandment?" The Golden Rule is similar to the second part of the Greatest Commandment - and is found in many religions around the world. In Luke's Gospel, Jesus answers the further question "Who is my neighbour?" with the parable of the Good Samaritan; how would you answer this question?
PATRIACHS - ROLE MODELS OF FAITH
Abraham and Sarah People get called all different types of names which tell something of their identity. In this account, Abram's name is changed to Abraham and Sarai's to Sarah - Abram ("exalted father") and Abraham ("father of a multitude") and Sarah ("princess or noble woman"). Ishmael's, Abraham's son with Sarah's handmaiden Hagar name means "God listens" and Isaac's, the son of Abraham and Sarah, means "one who laughs". There is no archaelogical evidence of a man called Abraham and his wife Sarah, living in the land of Canaan around 1800BC however there is evidence of a cultural migration from a group from Babylon. This account was passed on orally and recorded in the Written Torah around 450BC - it tells us of the basis of the Jewish faith and, particularly for those returning to Canaan after their exile in Babylon, the importance of making choices based on the Covenant. Why was the ritual of circumcision such an important part of the Covenant? Moses
PERSONAL REFLECTIONS
Who are your role models?
What qualities do they have that you wish to develop in yourself?
How do your parents guide you?
On a scale of 1-10, 10 being the highest, to what degree are your parents your role models?
PRAYER REFLECTIONS
Thank God for the ability to think rationally and use your free will to make choices about how you relate to people around you.
Ask God to help you to make loving decisions that build up those around you rather than bringing them down.
Pray for those who are leaders and role models, may they use their influence for the good of all society.
COMPLEMENTARY SCRIPTURE
Ways to live -Romans 12:9-21 Temptation of Jesus - Matthew 4:1-11; Luke 4:1-13; Mark 1:12-13 Jesus’ interpretation of the Law - Luke 6:27-36; Matthew 5:17-20 Beatitudes - Matthew 5:1-12; Luke 6:20-36 Ishmael's descendants - Genesis 25:12-18 Jacob and Esau - Genesis 25:19-23; Genesis 27:1-45; Genesis 33:1-17 Jacob's sons/Twelve Tribes of Israel - Genesis 29:14-35; Genesis 30:1-13, 17-24; Genesis 35:16-20; Genesis 35:22b-29 God renames Jacob "Israel" - Genesis 32:23-32 Death of Jacob/blessings on his sons - Genesis 49:1-33