Moroni 7-8,10

(1.) THREE ATTRIBUTES OF GOD-FEARING PEOPLE: Faith (emunah), Hope (tikvah) and Charity (zedakah) or (hesed). The word faith as discussed in the last lesson has the element of practice or work. Judaism has, however, evolved to the point that immun (practice or works) has become more important than belief.

(2.) THIRTEEN ARTICLES OF FAITH: Jewish belief has evolved to the point there is no place for a "shared Godhead" and hence no place for "Jesus as a Messiah (Christ)." ". . . during the Middle Ages, the need was felt for a definitive statement of those beliefs that make a Jew a Jew . . . the most famous . . . is the Thirteen Principles of Faith of Maimonides." (Encyclopedia Judaica Jr.) The first five "articles" explain that God in "one" and has no physical attributes.

(3.) HOPE FOR SAINTS AND SINNERS: "Although Judaism sees sin as a most serious matter, even the sinner is not without hope. One of the most important theological doctrines of both the Bible and the Talmud is that if a sinner repents his bad deeds, God will forgive him." ". . . it was the hope of redemption that sustained Jews through centuries of suffering and persecution." (Encyclopedia Judaica Jr.)

(4.) FESTIVAL OF HOPE: The great redemption festival for the Jews is Passover. Latter-day Saints believe that the fulfilment of hope, the heaven-sent Messiah, Jesus of Nazareth, was born at Passover. His death, resurrection and subsequent atonement were also at Passover.

(5.) CHARITY, RESULT OF FAITH AND HOPE: Sometimes charity is called "hesed," loving kindness. Charity is the energy that reflects the faith and hope of a person following God. "Although the idea of charity and almsgiving is spread throughout the whole of the Bible, there is no special term for it. The term "hesed" . . . used widely in the Bible, has taken on the meaning of physical aid, or lending money without interest." (Encyclopedia Judaica Jr.)

(6.) CHARITY IS MORE THAN A FAVOR, IT IS AN OBLIGATION: "The rabbis reveal a great deal of their attitude to the subject, for they see charity not as a favor to the poor but something to which they have a right, and the donor, an obligation. The importance the rabbis attached to the mitzvah of zedakah can be understood from Rabbi Assi who stated that ‘zedakah is as important as all the other commandments put together’ . . ." (Encyclopedia Judaica Jr.)

(7.) HOW MUCH? "To give a tenth of one's wealth to charity is considered to be a ‘middling’ virtue, to give a 20th or less is to be ‘mean’; but the rabbis decided that one should not give more than a fifth lest he become impoverished himself and dependent on charity." "The rabbis were especially concerned about the manner in which alms are to be dispensed. The prime consideration is that nothing be done that might shame the recipient. (Encyclopedia Judaica Jr.)

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