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3 Religion, peace and conflict (a) Give three Jewish teachings about pacifism - OCR - GCSE Religious Studies - Question 3 - 2018 - Paper 1
Question 3
3 Religion, peace and conflict (a) Give three Jewish teachings about pacifism. (b) Describe ways in which a Jew might work for peace. (c) Explain why there ... show full transcript
Worked Solution & Example Answer:3 Religion, peace and conflict (a) Give three Jewish teachings about pacifism - OCR - GCSE Religious Studies - Question 3 - 2018 - Paper 1
Step 1
Give three Jewish teachings about pacifism.
Answer
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The Value of Human Life: In Judaism, human life is sacred. The commandment "Thou shalt not kill" (Exodus 20:13) emphasizes the importance of preserving life and discourages violence.
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Respect for Creation: The world is regarded as a creation of God, and actions promoting peace reflect respect for God's creation. This teaching encourages Jews to engage in peaceful conflict resolution rather than violence.
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Pursuit of Peace (Rodfei Shalom): Judaism encourages the pursuit of peace, as seen in the teachings of the Torah and the writings of the sages. The concept of being a "pursuer of peace" is a key Jewish value.
Step 2
Describe ways in which a Jew might work for peace.
Answer
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Community Engagement: Jews can actively engage in community service and interfaith dialogues that promote understanding and cooperation among different cultural and religious groups.
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Advocacy for Justice: Many Jews work for social justice, advocating for policies that eliminate inequality and promote peace, often responding to teachings from the Torah regarding social responsibility.
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Education and Awareness: Educating others about the importance of peace, tolerance, and conflict resolution is vital. This can be achieved through educational programs and community workshops.
Step 3
Explain why there are different Jewish beliefs about forgiveness.
Answer
Different Jewish beliefs about forgiveness stem from a variety of interpretations of texts and teachings. Some key points include:
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Divine Forgiveness vs. Human Forgiveness: Jews believe that God forgives all sins if approached with sincerity, while human forgiveness can vary based on personal experiences and relationships.
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Cultural Variations: Different Jewish communities (such as Ashkenazi, Sephardic, and Mizrahi) may have unique traditions and interpretations of forgiveness that shape their beliefs and practices.
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The Role of Repentance (Teshuvah): The concept of Teshuvah outlines conditions for forgiveness, leading to varied beliefs about what constitutes genuine repentance and when it is appropriate to forgive others.
Step 4
'Nuclear war may sometimes be necessary.' Discuss this statement.
Answer
The statement raises significant ethical and theological questions within Judaism regarding war and peace.
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Just War Theory: Jewish law traditionally involves principles surrounding justifiable war. Some may argue that nuclear war could be deemed necessary to protect the innocent or prevent greater evil.
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Consequences of Nuclear Warfare: Many Jewish teachings emphasize the sanctity of life, suggesting that even in defense, the catastrophic impact of nuclear war on civilians leads to a strong opposition to such measures.
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Alternative Perspectives: Points of view from Jewish teachings advocate for efforts towards peace and negotiation, asserting that the path of peace is always preferable. Sources from the Talmud discuss the importance of pursuing peaceful resolutions rather than resorting to violence.
In conclusion, while there are varying opinions within Jewish thought, many would contest the necessity of nuclear war, highlighting the moral responsibilities that come with such decisions.