Practice Flashcards
Flip to reveal answersWhat is an agunah, and why does the problem arise?
Track your progress — Sign up free to save your progress and get smart review reminders based on spaced repetition.
All 8 Flashcards — Ethics in practice
Sign up free to track progress and get spaced-repetition review schedules.
Question
What is an agunah, and why does the problem arise?
Answer
A wife who remains anchored because her husband will not grant a get. Jewish divorce proceeds by a contract granted by the husband, and a get is required before an Orthodox Jew may remarry in a synagogue.
Question
How do the movements differ on the agunah?
Answer
Reform and Liberal Judaism, through different approaches to evolving laws, find a way round the difficulty; Orthodox authorities seek remedies within the halakhah. The disagreement is about method, not about whether it is a hardship.
Question
What does the guide say about Jewish marriage and family?
Answer
The importance of Jewish marriage and keeping a Jewish home; Orthodoxy is intolerant of marrying out of the faith; and there is a need for Jewish children to perpetuate the religion.
Question
What reason does the guide give for war being regarded as legitimate?
Answer
That the commandment is "Thou shalt not commit murder" — so the ethical question becomes which killing counts as murder.
Question
What does the guide say about sanctity of life?
Answer
It leads to respectful death rituals, and there are variations on views about abortion and contraception in the different traditions.
Question
How is shechitah defended?
Answer
As vital for kashrut, and as promoting rather than violating animal rights. The guide adds that the Hebrew Bible is sensitive to both animals and nature — the sabbatical year for the land is its example.
Question
What is the guide's entry on Zionism?
Answer
Zionism is Jews who support the Jewish homeland in Israel, with variations both there and in the worldwide Jewish community about how best to be faithful to Judaism and yet promote peace and justice for all.
Question
How should a Theme 5 answer handle Zionism?
Answer
As a question about Jewish ethical reasoning: report the range of Jewish views and the sources they argue from, and do not supply a political verdict, which is not what is asked.
Read the notes
Full study notes for Ethics in practice
Topic 5.5 hub
Ethics and moral conduct
More from Topic 5.5
All flashcards in this topic
World Religions exam skills
Paper structures & tips
Track your progress with spaced repetition
Sign up free — Aimnova tells you exactly which cards to review and when, so you remember everything before your IB exam.
Start Free