Hebrew High CteenU Review for midterm 12/15

 

Lesson #1

  1. What is the definition of a “Mitzvah?” How does the concept of a Mitzvah demonstrate a  fundamental difference between the Jewish legal system and those of Western societies? 

(Big Idea #1)

 

  1. Both American and Jewish legal systems are interested in having children educated. The Jewish legal system formulates this as an obligation upon the parent to educate his/her child, while the American legal system formulates this as a right of the child. What might be a practical difference between these two perspectives?

(Big Idea #2)

 

  1. If one sees a person who is drowning, what obligation does the observer have in the Jewish legal system?  According to American law?

(Big Idea #2)

 

  1. How did the Jewish people react to receiving all of the commandments from God?

(Big Idea #3)


 

Lesson #2

  1. Do most religions around the world focus on the spiritual aspects of life or the mundane/physical aspects of life?  What about the Jewish legal system?

(Big Idea #1)

 

  1. According to the Mishna in Pirkei Avot, where is it better to be – in this world or the next world?

(Big Idea #1)

 

  1. Please mention one law that is codified in the Shulchan Aruch (Code of Jewish law) that relates to a seemingly non-spiritual activity?

(Big Idea #2)

 

  1. Why are there precisely 248 positive commandments? What might this parallelism represent?

(Big Idea #2)

 

  1. Rabbi Joseph b. Soloveithick describes that in the Middle Ages, there were Christian noblemen who prayed fervently and authentically in Church, but then went on to commit acts of cruelty later in the day. According to Rabbi Soloveitchik, what allowed this to occur? How does the Jewish legal system attempt to stop this phenomenon?

(Big Idea #2)

 

  1. What is the philosophical reason that the Jewish legal system (halacha) is comprehensive and applies to all aspects of human life?

(Big Idea #3)

 

  1. How does Maimonides (Rambam) define holiness?

(Big Idea #3)

 

  1. Does Jewish law consider it meritorious to take on extra fast days? Why?

(Big Idea #3)

 

Lesson #3

  1. According to Nachmanides, whom are God’s commandments intended to benefit?

(Big Idea #1)

 

  1. Please give an example of how the Mitzvot are for our benefit on a societal level?

(Big Idea #2)

 

  1. Please give an example of how the Mitzvot are for our practical benefit as individuals?

Big Idea #2)

 

  1. How are Mitzvot for our benefit in a spiritual way?

(Big Idea #2)

 

  1. Why is it important that we do all Mitzvot out of a sense of commandedness and not only for the positive benefit?

(Big Idea #3)

 

Lesson #4

  1. The Jewish legal system is very detail oriented and action-based as opposed to sufficing with general values or emotions.  Rabbi Joseph b. Solovetichik argues that one of the reasons for this is that Judaism is “democratic.”  What does he mean by this?

(Big Idea #1)

 

  1. According to Rabbi Jonathan Sacks, what do Jewish Law and the regimen of top tennis players have in common?

(Big Idea #2)

 

  1. Why according to one opinion is the most important verse of the Torah the one that discusses the daily sacrifice in the Temple?

(Big Idea#2)


 

  1. Please describe the concept of a “Dira BeTachtonim” (A Home for God in This World) and how it connects to a reason that Jewish Law is so action-focused.

(Big Idea #3)

 

Lesson #5

  1. What blessing must be recited upon seeing 600,000 people?  What does this reflect about Judaism’s valuing of individuality?

(Big Idea #1)

 

  1. If all Jews must perform identical actions, where is there individuality? 

(Big Idea #2)

 

  1. What is the benefit of having a system that is partially uniform (the performance of the Mitzvah) and partially individualized (one’s intentions when performing the Mitzvha)?

(Big Idea #2)

 

  1. Is there room for individuality in the actual performance of Mitzvot? If we are all commanded to observe the Seder on the night of Pesach, how can there be individuality in the actual performance?

(Big Idea #3)

 

  1. Is one allowed to focus more on one Mitzvah than others? If yes, then by what criteria should one choose which Mitzvah to focus on?

(Big Idea #3)

 

Lesson #6

  1. What are the two forms of Torah that God gave the Jewish people at Sinai?

(Big Idea #1)

 

  1. Why is the Written Torah not sufficient on its own?

(Big Idea #2)

 

  1. Please identify one proof for the existence of the Oral Torah.

(Big Idea #2)

 

  1. Please identify one reason that God preferred to have part of the Torah remain oral.

(Big Idea #3)