Judaism and philosophy of religion

Q: What is the Jewish concept of tikkun olam in the context of the problem of evil?

Tikkun olam means "repairing the world," representing a Jewish shift from explaining why evil exists to actively overcoming it through social action.

Q: How does the principle of pikuach nephesh impact the dialogue on evil and law?

Pikuach nephesh is the principle that saving a life overrides almost any other religious law (Halakah), prioritizing the value of life over ritual or theoretical suffering.

Q: How does the concept of a minyan change the philosophical understanding of religious experience?

A minyan (a quorum of ten adults) suggests that religious experience in Judaism is primarily communal rather than a solitary, individual event.

Q: In Judaism, how does the Babylonian Talmud relate to religious experience?

Studying and debating the Babylonian Talmud is considered a form of religious experience and a spiritual encounter with the Divine.

Q: What is the Jewish perspective on using anthropomorphic (human-like) language for God?

Judaism uses human terms like King or Father as symbolic metaphors to describe a relationship, while maintaining that God is ultimately other and beyond human categories.

Q: What is the concept of She'ol in early Jewish thought?

She'ol is an early Jewish concept of a shadowy underworld where all the dead go, rather than a place of specific reward or punishment.

Q: How does the Jewish view of the self challenge Cartesian Substance Dualism?

Judaism often holds a holistic view where the body is a gift from God rather than a "prison" for the soul, contrasting with Descartes' sharp separation of mind and body.

Religious Studies 7062 · AQA A Level · 6 min read · Updated: 7 Sept 2026

Welcome to the Jewish Dialogue!

In this part of your AQA A Level course, we aren't just looking at Judaism or Philosophy in isolation. Instead, we are looking at the "Dialogue" between them. This means exploring how Jewish beliefs challenge, support, or change the way we look at philosophical questions about God, evil, and the soul. Think of it as a conversation where both sides have something important to say!

Don't worry if this seems a bit abstract at first. We will break it down into the key areas where Jewish thought meets philosophical inquiry.

1. Arguments for the Existence of God

In Philosophy, we study arguments like Paley’s Design Argument or Anselm’s Ontological Argument. These are often cold, logical "proofs."

The Jewish Perspective

In Judaism, God is often described through personal relationships. Genesis 3:8 uses language that depicts God as a King or a Father. This creates a tension:

Philosophical view: God is a "necessary being" or a "prime mover" (Aquinas).
Jewish view: God is the 'Eternal Thou'—a being you have a direct, personal relationship with.

The Dialogue

For many Jewish thinkers, logical proofs (like the Cosmological Argument) are less important than the covenant (agreement) between God and the people. While a philosopher might ask "Does God exist?", a Jewish student might ask "How do I relate to God?" This shifts the focus from reason to faith and relationship.

Quick Review: While philosophy uses logic to find God, Judaism often uses revelation (God showing Himself) and personal connection.

2. The Problem of Evil and Suffering

Philosophy looks at the Logical Problem of Evil (how can a good God exist alongside evil?) and the Evidential Problem (the sheer amount of suffering).

The Jewish Response

Judaism has a long history of grappling with suffering. This isn't just a "theory" for Jewish people; it is lived history.

The Ghettoism Connection: In Nehemiah 10:28-31, we see the importance of identity preservation even under pressure.
Jewish Social Action: Rather than just asking why God allows evil, the Jewish Social Action movement focuses on tikkun olam (repairing the world). The response to suffering is action and helping the oppressed.

The Dialogue

Philosophers like Hick suggest evil is for "soul-making." A Jewish critique might be: Is the suffering of millions really just a tool for spiritual growth? Judaism often prioritizes Halakah (Jewish law) as a way to manage life in an imperfect world, focusing on pikuach nephesh (the principle that saving a life overrides almost any other law).

Key Takeaway: Philosophy tries to explain evil; Judaism tries to overcome it through moral action and community law.

3. Religious Experience

Philosophy examines visions, mysticism (Stace/James), and the Numinous (Otto). It asks if these experiences are "real" or just brain states.

The Jewish Perspective

In Judaism, religious experience is often communal rather than just individual.

A minyan (a quorum of ten adults) is required for certain prayers. This suggests that God is experienced most powerfully within a community.
The Babylonian Talmud: This massive collection of records is the result of generations of Rabbis experiencing God through study and debate.

The Dialogue

Swinburne argues we should believe people’s experiences (Credulity and Testimony). Judaism adds a layer to this: an experience is "valid" if it aligns with the Torah and the community’s traditions. An experience that tells you to break the Law would be viewed with deep suspicion.

Did you know? In Judaism, studying the Talmud is considered a form of religious experience! It’s not just "reading"—it’s a spiritual encounter with the divine.

4. Religious Language

Can we use human words to describe an infinite God? Philosophy offers the Via Negativa (saying what God is NOT) or Analogy (Aquinas).

The Jewish Perspective

Judaism uses very "human" (anthropomorphic) language. As mentioned, Genesis 3:8 calls God a King or Father. This is gendered language. However, Jewish tradition also teaches that God is totally other and beyond human categories.

The Dialogue

This creates a "Language Game" (Wittgenstein). Within the "Jewish life-form," calling God "Father" makes perfect sense because it describes a relationship of care and authority. However, Maimonides (a key Jewish thinker, though often discussed via the Via Negativa) would warn that these are just metaphors to help our limited minds.

Common Mistake: Don't assume Jews literally think God is a human male. The language is symbolic (Tillich) and meant to guide Halakah (conduct).

5. Miracles

Hume defines a miracle as a "violation of a law of nature." Maurice Wiles argues a God who performs miracles would be arbitrary and cruel.

The Jewish Perspective

Judaism is rooted in the miracle of the Exodus and the giving of the Torah. However, there is also a strong anti-realist streak in modern Jewish thought. This means a "miracle" might be seen as a natural event that carries profound religious significance for the people.

The Dialogue

The concept of pikuach nephesh shows that human life is so sacred that it is almost "miraculous" in itself. If a person is in danger, you break the Sabbath to save them. This mirrors the philosophical debate: What is more important—the "Laws of Nature/God" or the "Value of Life"?

6. Self, Death, and the Afterlife

Philosophy discusses the soul (Descartes) and whether it survives death.

The Jewish Perspective

Jewish views have evolved over time:

She'ol: An early concept of a shadowy underworld where everyone goes (not a place of reward or punishment).
Resurrection: Later Jewish thought (influenced by the Rabbis) emphasizes the resurrection of the dead.
The Role of the Beth Din: This Jewish court ensures that laws regarding death and mourning are followed, focusing on the living community’s memory of the deceased.

The Dialogue

While Descartes argues for a substance dualism (soul and body are separate), many Jewish views are more holistic. The body is not a "prison" for the soul; it is a gift from God. This challenges the philosophical idea that the "real me" is just a mind or a spirit.

Summary Table for Revision

Philosophical Topic	Jewish "Dialogue" Point	Key Term/Text
Arguments for God	God as a personal relative/King.	Genesis 3:8
Evil and Suffering	Response through action and law.	Pikuach Nephesh
Religious Experience	Experience is communal/legal.	Minyan / Talmud
Afterlife	Shadowy underworld vs Resurrection.	She'ol

Final Exam Tip: AO2 Success

To get those high marks in Section B, don't just list what Jews believe. You must evaluate. Ask yourself: Does the Jewish emphasis on community make Swinburne's individual 'Principle of Credulity' stronger or weaker? Does the concept of Pikuach Nephesh provide a better answer to the Problem of Evil than Hick’s Soul-Making? That is the "Dialogue"!

Quick check

Can you answer these now?

Open each question to check the key ideas from this chapter.

How does the Jewish view of God differ from traditional philosophical "proofs" for God's existence?

While philosophy focuses on logical "proofs" of a necessary being, Judaism emphasizes a personal, relational connection often described as the 'Eternal Thou' or as a King or Father.

What is the Jewish concept of tikkun olam in the context of the problem of evil?

Tikkun olam means "repairing the world," representing a Jewish shift from explaining why evil exists to actively overcoming it through social action.

How does the principle of pikuach nephesh impact the dialogue on evil and law?

Pikuach nephesh is the principle that saving a life overrides almost any other religious law (Halakah), prioritizing the value of life over ritual or theoretical suffering.

How does the concept of a minyan change the philosophical understanding of religious experience?

A minyan (a quorum of ten adults) suggests that religious experience in Judaism is primarily communal rather than a solitary, individual event.

In Judaism, how does the Babylonian Talmud relate to religious experience?

Studying and debating the Babylonian Talmud is considered a form of religious experience and a spiritual encounter with the Divine.

What is the Jewish perspective on using anthropomorphic (human-like) language for God?

Judaism uses human terms like King or Father as symbolic metaphors to describe a relationship, while maintaining that God is ultimately other and beyond human categories.

How does the Jewish view of miracles differ from David Hume's definition?

While Hume defines a miracle as a "violation of a law of nature," many Jewish thinkers take an anti-realist view, seeing miracles as natural events with profound religious significance.

What is the concept of She'ol in early Jewish thought?

She'ol is an early Jewish concept of a shadowy underworld where all the dead go, rather than a place of specific reward or punishment.

How does the Jewish view of the self challenge Cartesian Substance Dualism?

Judaism often holds a holistic view where the body is a gift from God rather than a "prison" for the soul, contrasting with Descartes' sharp separation of mind and body.

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