RMPS - Int2/Higher - World Religions - Judaism - Education Scotland
RMPS - Int2/Higher - World Religions - Judaism - Education Scotland
RMPS - Int2/Higher - World Religions - Judaism - Education Scotland
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THE FINAL AIM OF EXISTENCE<br />
Responsibilities of the Jewish people<br />
There are two major statements in the Hebrew Bible about the<br />
responsibilities of the Jewish people. The first is ‘and ye shall be to me a<br />
kingdom of priests and a holy nation’ (Exodus 19: 6). It was to be<br />
Israel’s duty to bring the nations of the world to a realisation of the one<br />
God and of the universal truths and moral duties which every civilised<br />
human being should aim for.<br />
The second important responsibility of Israel was to be ‘a light unto the<br />
nations’ (Isaiah 49: 6). This means that the people of Israel should be an<br />
example to others and a teacher of the ways of God, and through this<br />
should demonstrate the ethical values by which mankind should live so<br />
that in the end there would be a world of peace and tranquillity.<br />
To a certain extent these aims have been fulfilled though not nearly<br />
sufficiently. Many of the moral principles of <strong>Judaism</strong> have been taken up<br />
by other religions such as Christianity. Christians have taken up the<br />
Golden Rule of loving one’s neighbour (see section 4, p41) and the<br />
principles of care for the poor and the disadvantaged is another part of<br />
the Golden Rule they have taken up. These principles and others are<br />
often referred to as the Judaeo–Christian ethic.<br />
The responsibilities have been summarised in one telling sentence in<br />
Micah – ‘What doth the Lord require of thee, but to do justly, to love<br />
mercy and to walk humbly with thy God’ (Micah 6: 8). This sentence is a<br />
good guide for everyone, not just the Jewish people.<br />
58<br />
<strong>RMPS</strong>: WORLD RELIGIONS – JUDAISM (INT 2, H)<br />
© Learning and Teaching <strong>Scotland</strong>