​IB Exam Material

#1. What is the human condition?

 

God created humans in His image (omniscent, omnipotent, the Creator, Law Giver, and Rescuer/ Savior) endowed them with free

will (which is given to humans because they are sentinent beings; freewill is simply based on being sentinent, the idea that there is no original sin, a lack of emphasis on the Fall, and the lesson of the sin of pride), which leads to a constant choice between yetser hara (bad

inclinations violating the will of God) and yetser yatov (good inclinations which actually does not develop until age of reason). The Torah is the Jewish Sacred Text. The Torah futher depicts God and his relationship with the Chosen People. Kedushah is the sanctification of God's image. Shema is the decleration of monotheism; describes God as the one and only God and then describes how humans should respect Him. Berit is the covenant between God and the Jews. It is a promise based on love and care that is renewed on obedience and the forgiveness of God. Berit highlights that Jews are the Chosen People; the ones who God will use as an example to reveal himself/ how humans should act to the world. The Chosen People were “given” the land of Israel based on their inheritance of the covenant, which is in turn their human condition.