Jews as Peacemakers (Edexcel GCSE Religious Studies B) : Revision Note

Peacemaking in Judaism

• In Hebrew, Shalom translates to ‘peace’ 

  • Shalom is an important concept in Judaism, which does not just mean the absence of war but also harmony, fulfilment and well-being

• Jews value peace as an aspect of God Himself, they refer to Him as the HaShalom, ‘the Peace’, conveying their belief in God as a peacemaker

• Judaism emphasises the relationship between peace with God, peace within oneself, and peace with others

• Concepts such as Shalom Bayit (peace in the home) and Shalom HaBrit (peace of the covenant) further highlight the role of peace in various parts of Jewish life

• Jewish religious scriptures emphasise the significance of peace via teachings like ‘seek peace and pursue it’ (Psalms 34:15)

• Many Jewish laws and commandments are centred around building and maintaining peace within society

  • The law guides Jews on conflict resolution and encourages forgiveness, reconciliation and justice

Judaism and Peacemaking

• Judaism encourages its followers to be active peacemakers

  • Being involved in attempts to bring about peace, even when this requires great effort, is seen as a meritorious act

• Notions of justice, fairness and equality are connected with Judaic approaches to peace   

  • This is seen in the concept of Tzedek

• Jewish tradition recognises the need for just wars whilst also promoting the aspiration for a peaceful world

  • This is reflected in the prophet Isaiah’s vision of a world where

 ‘nation shall not lift up sword against nation, neither shall they learn war anymore’ (Isaiah 2:4)

• Rabbis, as Jewish religious leaders, play a crucial role in fostering peace within their congregations and in the wider community

• Synagogues are seen as peace sanctuaries, often promoting interfaith dialogues and taking initiatives to help the less fortunate in society

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Note for illustrator - Please could you change the colours of the people and their clothes and also the colour of the background 

• Rabbis and synagogues thus facilitate the practice of Tikkun Olam, a Jewish response towards restoring peace and justice in the world

Peace in Jewish Holidays and Rituals

• Many Jewish holidays and rituals reflect the importance of peace

  • The end of the Shabbat (the Sabbath) is marked with a prayer for universal peace, the Havdalah

  • High Holy Days like Yom Kippur, the Jewish Day of Atonement, highlights the need for peace by promoting repentance and reconciliation

• The Passover Haggadah concludes with the plea for peace, ‘Next Year in Jerusalem’, demonstrating the importance of peace in Judaism

Judaism and the importance of justice in peacemaking

• In Judaism, justice (tzedek) and peace (shalom) are deeply connected

  • Jewish teachings state that true peace can only exist where there is fairness, honesty, and justice

  • Peacemaking in Judaism is not just about avoiding conflict, but about creating a just society where people are treated with dignity and respect

  • Psalm 85:10 says ‘Love and faithfulness meet together; righteousness and peace kiss each other’

• This verse teaches that peace and justice are inseparable, and that peace is not just the absence of war but the presence of fairness

• Prophet Isaiah said, ‘Learn to do right; seek justice. Defend the oppressed’  (Isaiah 1:17)

  • Peacemaking in Judaism requires actively standing up for justice and defending the vulnerable

Judaism and the importance of forgiveness and reconciliation in peacemaking

• In Judaism, forgiveness (mechilah) and peace (shalom) are closely linked

  • True peace cannot exist without reconciliation, and forgiveness is essential for healing relationships, whether between individuals, communities, or nations

  • Judaism teaches that while justice is necessary, so is the ability to forgive and seek forgiveness to achieve lasting peace

  • Seeking forgiveness is a duty: The Talmud teaches that a person must ask for forgiveness at least three times if they have wronged someone (Yoma 87a)

  • Forgiving others is encouraged: Holding grudges is discouraged in the Torah where it says, ‘Do not take revenge or bear a grudge’ (Leviticus 19:18)

  • The Jewish idea of Tikkun Olam teaches that people should work to make the world better

  • Forgiveness and reconciliation help bring peace to society, not just individuals

  • In Judaism, forgiveness and reconciliation are essential for making peace

  • Jews are encouraged to seek forgiveness, let go of grudges, and work towards peace in their communities

    • These values help build a fair and harmonious society

How do Jews work for peace today?

• There are many ways in which Jewish individuals and groups work towards promoting peace

  • Interfaith dialogue is one way in which Jewish people seek peace with others

    • Many Jewish organisations engage in discussions with other religious groups to build understanding and prevent conflict

  • Jewish charities work to promote peace in the UK and globally

    • For example, organisations such as Tzedek and World Jewish Relief, support humanitarian efforts worldwide, aiding victims of war and poverty

  • Some Jews may become involved in protests to support peaceful causes

    • Some Jewish groups work towards finding peaceful solutions to conflicts. Promoting dialogue between Israelis and Palestinians in the Middle East is particularly important 

  • Many Jewish people promote peace by remembering those who died during the Holocaust

    • Remembering the horrors of war encourages Jews to work against discrimination and violence today

Jewish Individuals and Groups Who Promote Peace

• There are many Jewish individuals who have worked to bring about peace

  • Former Israeli Prime Minister Yitzhak Rabin (1922–1995) signed the Oslo Accords, aimed for peace between Israel and Palestine and was assassinated for his peace efforts

  • Former Chief Rabbi of the UK, Rabbi Jonathan Sacks (1948–2020) promoted interfaith dialogue and understanding between different religions

  • Gershon Baskin was the co-founder of the Israel/Palestine Centre for Research and Information, worked on peace negotiations

  • Ruth Messinger was the former president of the American Jewish World Service, which supports global humanitarian efforts

• There are also many Jewish organisations who try to bring about peace in the world

  • American Jewish World Service (AJWS) supports human rights and poverty relief efforts in developing countries

  • Rabbis for Human Rights defends human rights in Israel and the Palestinian territories

  • T’ruah: The Rabbinic Call for Human Rights are a network of rabbis and Jewish communities promoting human rights and social justice worldwide

  • The World Jewish Relief (WJR) provides humanitarian aid to refugees, disaster victims, and vulnerable communities globally

  • The New Israel Fund (NIF) funds initiatives that support democracy, equality, and peace efforts in Israel and beyond

  • Seeds of Peace brings together young leaders from conflict regions, including Israelis and Palestinians, to foster understanding and peace

  • Neve Shalom (Wahat al-Salam) is a peace village in Israel where Jews and Arabs live and educate for coexistence

  • Tzedek are a UK-based Jewish charity focused on global poverty reduction and social justice

• These individuals and groups work to reduce conflict and promote peace through dialogue, activism, education, and humanitarian aid