Jewish Ethical Theory
Explain a theory of religious ethics
An example of a theory of religious ethics is Jewish ethics. Judaism is a deontological theory as we have laws, and it is our duty to fulfil them. The main aspect of Jewish ethics is that it is monotheistic, meaning there is one G-d with one moral system for all Jews to follow. Thus, Judaism is heteronomous as the laws are G-d given.
Judaism is a monotheistic religion, meaning there is one G-d with one moral system in which we must all abide by. This is evident in the first Ten commandment as it states, “I am the Lord your G-d”. This commandment is written in the singular, thus it evident that Judaism only has one G-d. The idea that Judaism is monotheistic is further displayed in the second commandment …show more content…
“You shall not worship idols”. Here G-d is prohibiting worshiping anything other than Him, highlighting Judaism to be a monotheistic religion.
Another key aspect of Judaism is Love.
The Torah teaches us to “love your neighbour as yourself”. Here we are being commanded to treat each other with respect and treat each other with love the way we would want to be treated. The idea that Judaism is based on love and care for each other is further highlighted in the book of Leviticus as it states, “Thou shalt not go up and down as a tale bearer among thy people”. A talebearer is any form of gossip; thus the quote is saying that it would be a violation of the mitzvah for anyone to speak about another person. Moreover, Judaism believes, that he who listens to Lashon Hara is in fact doing worse than the speaker, as no harm can be done by gossip if no one listens to it. This therefore shows that love is a key part of Jewish ethics as the laws go to extreme lengths to prevent any harm done to the people, showing Judaism cares and respects for every …show more content…
person.
Judaism can be considered a relative theory of ethics. This is because many Talmudic laws have been interpreted differently. For instance, the laws on modesty; Ashkenazi Jews wear shitals to cover their hair, whereas Sephardim Jews use headscarf to cover their heads. This example displays how the Jewish laws are relative to the specific culture. In addition, this is further demonstrated through Ashkenazi and Sephardim Jews as they wait different amounts of time before eating milk and meat together, meaning they have again, interpreted the Torah differently. Thus the laws are again relative to the culture. Lastly, it states in the Torah, which foods are fit for Jews to eat and which are not. We are expected to follow these laws, as they are G-d given. However, in the situation that there is no access to kosher food, and as a result one would starve, Jews are permitted to eat non kosher in order to survive. Thus, the laws on kushrut are relative to the situation. Therefore, it is evident that Judaism is a relative theory of ethics.
However, Jewish ethics can be seen as an absolute theory; meaning G-d’s commandments are set in stone.
For example, the commandment “Thou shalt not murder”. This commandment is objective and therefore it cannot be argued with; what G-d says goes. This statement is also absolute, as it cannot be altered according to circumstances or culture. We must apply this objective and absolute theory to our life today. For instance, if our life is on the line and can be saved if we were to commit a murder, we still cannot murder as G-d’s laws are absolute thus they cannot be adjusted to fit the circumstance.
Similarly to Judaism being an absolute ethical theory, the divine command theory is also a main aspect of Jewish ethics. The divine command theory is based on the idea that good and bad is defined by G-d, even something which is intrinsically wrong such as murder, can be considered good if G-d approves of it. For example, when G-d commanded Avraham to sacrifice his son, Yitzchak. Many would have questioned G-d as murder is ultimately wrong. However, Avraham did not question Him, as he recognises that if G-d says something is good then it is good. This therefore shows, that Jewish ethics is based on the Divine Command Theory, meaning G-d sets the standards for
morality.
In conclusion, Judaism is a monotheistic religion which focuses on the love and care for each person. Jewish ethics is based on the divine command theory, thus G-d sets the standards for morality. It is both a relative and absolute theory as laws such a murder will always be absolute as it can never be broken, whereas less serious laws such as kushrut are relative as our life is classed more important than Kushrut.
An example of a theory of religious ethics is Jewish ethics. Judaism is a deontological theory as we have laws, and it is our duty to fulfil them. The main aspect of Jewish ethics is that it is monotheistic, meaning there is one G-d with one moral system for all Jews to follow. Thus, Judaism is heteronomous as the laws are G-d given.
Judaism is a monotheistic religion, meaning there is one G-d with one moral system in which we must all abide by. This is evident in the first Ten commandment as it states, “I am the Lord your G-d”. This commandment is written in the singular, thus it evident that Judaism only has one G-d. The idea that Judaism is monotheistic is further displayed in the second commandment …show more content…
“You shall not worship idols”. Here G-d is prohibiting worshiping anything other than Him, highlighting Judaism to be a monotheistic religion.
Another key aspect of Judaism is Love.
The Torah teaches us to “love your neighbour as yourself”. Here we are being commanded to treat each other with respect and treat each other with love the way we would want to be treated. The idea that Judaism is based on love and care for each other is further highlighted in the book of Leviticus as it states, “Thou shalt not go up and down as a tale bearer among thy people”. A talebearer is any form of gossip; thus the quote is saying that it would be a violation of the mitzvah for anyone to speak about another person. Moreover, Judaism believes, that he who listens to Lashon Hara is in fact doing worse than the speaker, as no harm can be done by gossip if no one listens to it. This therefore shows that love is a key part of Jewish ethics as the laws go to extreme lengths to prevent any harm done to the people, showing Judaism cares and respects for every …show more content…
person.
Judaism can be considered a relative theory of ethics. This is because many Talmudic laws have been interpreted differently. For instance, the laws on modesty; Ashkenazi Jews wear shitals to cover their hair, whereas Sephardim Jews use headscarf to cover their heads. This example displays how the Jewish laws are relative to the specific culture. In addition, this is further demonstrated through Ashkenazi and Sephardim Jews as they wait different amounts of time before eating milk and meat together, meaning they have again, interpreted the Torah differently. Thus the laws are again relative to the culture. Lastly, it states in the Torah, which foods are fit for Jews to eat and which are not. We are expected to follow these laws, as they are G-d given. However, in the situation that there is no access to kosher food, and as a result one would starve, Jews are permitted to eat non kosher in order to survive. Thus, the laws on kushrut are relative to the situation. Therefore, it is evident that Judaism is a relative theory of ethics.
However, Jewish ethics can be seen as an absolute theory; meaning G-d’s commandments are set in stone.
For example, the commandment “Thou shalt not murder”. This commandment is objective and therefore it cannot be argued with; what G-d says goes. This statement is also absolute, as it cannot be altered according to circumstances or culture. We must apply this objective and absolute theory to our life today. For instance, if our life is on the line and can be saved if we were to commit a murder, we still cannot murder as G-d’s laws are absolute thus they cannot be adjusted to fit the circumstance.
Similarly to Judaism being an absolute ethical theory, the divine command theory is also a main aspect of Jewish ethics. The divine command theory is based on the idea that good and bad is defined by G-d, even something which is intrinsically wrong such as murder, can be considered good if G-d approves of it. For example, when G-d commanded Avraham to sacrifice his son, Yitzchak. Many would have questioned G-d as murder is ultimately wrong. However, Avraham did not question Him, as he recognises that if G-d says something is good then it is good. This therefore shows, that Jewish ethics is based on the Divine Command Theory, meaning G-d sets the standards for
morality.
In conclusion, Judaism is a monotheistic religion which focuses on the love and care for each person. Jewish ethics is based on the divine command theory, thus G-d sets the standards for morality. It is both a relative and absolute theory as laws such a murder will always be absolute as it can never be broken, whereas less serious laws such as kushrut are relative as our life is classed more important than Kushrut.