Questions About Judaism

Fletcher, Liv and Kalani: If the Jews are correct that they are God's "chosen people", why did God choose them, to hold his commandments and spread his message? Why didn't God choose the Greeks, or the Native Americans, or some other group?

Caroline, Ford, Asa, Matteo, Annabelle and Grant: Was there a particular reason that God chose Abraham to speak to? What was special about Abraham? Why did God choose him?

Max had a fascinating possible answer to this question. 

Max said that he was trying to weave together the beliefs of Hinduism 

and Judaism, and this is what he came up with: 

Perhaps Abraham had reached moksha, and then 

God asked him to continue living (rather than becoming part of 

Brahman) so that he could be God's spokesperson on earth.  

What an intriguing (and deep) answer, Max!

Lily L.: When Abraham heard God's voice, what did it sound like?

Gabriel and Liam: The book says that God's laws are very important to Jewish people. What happens if a regular Jewish person breaks one of the laws? What happens if a rabbi breaks one of the laws?

Carter V.: Has anyone memorized all of the 613 laws?

Ellen and Olivia: The book says that Jews are allowed to talk during services in the synagogue? Why? Wouldn't that be distracting to other people who are trying to pray or worship?

Liam (x2): Why are there different groups within Judaism, like Orthodox and non-Orthodox? Why don't all Jews believe the exact same things about their religion?

[Liam's question can apply to all of the religions that we will study: 

Hinduism, Judaism, Christianity, Buddhism, and Islam. 

Within each of these religions, there are 

"sub-groups" that sometimes disagree 

about the correct interpretation of the religion]

Zoë: In the Orthodox Jewish synagogues, why do men and women sit apart from each other?

Grace and Nathan: If one of God's rules is "do not kill", and God killed the Egyptian army when they were chasing the Jews across the Red Sea, doesn't that mean he broke his own rule? [Ford wondered the same thing as Grace and Nathan, but Ford asked about God's decision to cause the plagues.]

Kalani (x2): When you pray to God, how does he receive your prayer?

Lilly B.: Why are some people more religious than other people?