Judaism & Miracles (Edexcel GCSE Religious Studies B) : Revision Note

What are miracles?

• Miracles are believed to be special events with a divine cause

• Miracles are seen as acts where God directly intervenes in the natural world, often to help or protect the Jewish people

• Miracles in Judaism often have a spiritual or moral purpose, such as:

  • Demonstrating God's power

  • Strengthening faith

  • Guiding the Jewish people

• Miracles show that God is in control of the world and has the power to change the laws of nature when he chooses

Why are Miracles Important in Judaism?

• Miracles are important in Judaism for many reasons:

  • Miracles show that God is omnipotent and can control nature 

    • They highlight his ability to intervene in the world and perform acts beyond human understanding

  • Miracles help strengthen the faith of the Jewish people

    • They serve as signs of God's presence and his role in guiding and protecting his people

  • Many miracles are linked to God's promises, such as the deliverance of the Israelites from slavery in Egypt, showing that God kept his covenant with the Jewish people

  • Miracles often have a deeper meaning, encouraging the Jewish people to follow his commandments and live good lives

Examples of miracles in Judaism

• There are many examples of miracles within Judaism and each one of them is significant for different reasons

• The Parting of the Red Sea (Exodus 14) is an important miracle for the Jewish people

  • God parted the Red Sea, allowing the Israelites to escape from the Egyptian army

    • This miracle demonstrates God's power to protect and save his people

    • It marks the beginning of the Israelites' journey to freedom and the Promised Land, reinforcing the covenant between God and his people

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• The Ten Plagues (Exodus 7-12) is well-known miracle within Judaism

  • God sent ten plagues upon Egypt to convince Pharaoh to release the Israelites from slavery

    • The plagues show God’s power over nature and the Pharaoh, and they fulfill God’s promise to deliver the Israelites

    • They also teach the lesson of God's justice and the consequences of disobedience

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• The Manna from Heaven (Exodus 16) demonstrates God’s love for the Jewish people

  • God provided bread (manna) from heaven to feed the Israelites while they were in the desert

    • This miracle demonstrates God’s provision and care for his people, teaching them to trust in his guidance and support

• The miracle where God made the sun stand still (Joshua 10:12-14) shows God’s power over nature

  • God made the sun stand still so the Israelites could win a battle

    • This miracle proves that God can control the forces of nature and protect those who are faithful to him

What are Humanist and Atheist explanations of Miracles?

• Humanists believe that miracles are not supernatural, but are events that can be explained by natural causes

  • They might view miracles as the result of human perception or psychological factors, such as wishful thinking or coincidence

    • For example, a person might think that a lucky escape was a miracle when they were simply fortunate

• All atheists would agree that miracles are not caused by a divine being, as they do not believe in God or the supernatural

  • Atheists would explain miraculous events as natural occurrences that can be understood through science

    • For example, medical recoveries that seem miraculous but are the result of treatments or spontaneous healing

  • Atheists may view many biblical miracles as symbolic stories or myths, created to pass on moral or spiritual lessons rather than being literal events

• Humanists and Atheists would not believe that miracles described in Jewish scripture were the result of God

What are Jewish responses to Humanist explanations of miracles?

• Jews would argue that miracles are acts of divine intervention by God

  • While Humanists may see miracles as natural events, Jews believe that they are signs of God’s presence and power in the world

  • Jews would highlight that miracles are a part of their religious tradition and that the belief in miracles strengthens faith in God

  • They see these events as central to their understanding of God’s relationship with his people

What are Jewish responses to Atheist explanations of miracles?

• Jews would reject Atheist explanations because they believe in God and see miracles as proof of his existence and involvement in human history

  • Jews might argue that Atheists overlook the spiritual significance of miracles and that they are not just unusual events but also provide moral and spiritual lessons

  • Jews would also highlight that miracles in their tradition are rooted in real historical events, such as the Exodus, and are an essential part of their collective memory and identity

What do Miracles show us about the Nature of God?

• Miracles show that God is omnipotent and in control of the natural world

  • For example, the parting of the Red Sea demonstrates that God can intervene in nature and perform actions beyond human understanding

• Miracles like providing manna from heaven or water from a rock show that God is omnibenevolent

  • It demonstrates that he cares for his people and provides for their needs, even in difficult situations

• Miracles such as the Ten Plagues or the saving of the Israelites, highlight God’s justice 

  • He is willing to punish the wicked and show mercy in protecting the righteous

• Miracles also reinforce the special covenant between God and the Jewish people

  • For instance, the miracles during the Exodus show that God is fulfilling his promise to lead the Israelites away from slavery and towards the Promised Land