Essential questions (Judaism and Christianity)

God created humans in his image and endowed them with free will, which leads to a constant choice between yetzer ha-ra (bad inclinations) and yetzer ha-tov (good inclinations).

Judaism emphasizes observance in this life rather than elaborating on the hereafter. There is, however, the expectation of a Messianic age of peace and justice for humankind in this world and a belief in Olam Ha-Ba the world to come).

• We accomplish this through living a life in accordance with God’s will and in readiness for the coming of the Messianic Age. This will be achieved by:
• • being the House of Israel or Chosen People
• • obeying all the mitzvot (commandments) of the Covenant that God has revealed in the Torah
• • living according to the Shema.

God created humankind in God’s own image. God gave humans free will but, through disobedience, humans are separated from God by original sin.

• • To heaven: eternal union with God
• • To purgatory: a staging post between this world and heaven
• • To hell: separation from God

• • believing in the presence of God as Father, Son and Holy Spirit
• • believing in Jesus Christ as Saviour
• • living by the teachings of Jesus
• • participating in the sacraments, as appropriate to the denomination.