Free will
Most Jews believe that when God created them, he gave them free willThe idea that humans are free to make their own moral choices.. This is the idea that people are able to make their own decisions and distinguish right from wrong. Therefore, Jews believe that it is an individual’s responsibility to follow the mitzvot.
The mitzvot are seen as points of guidance to help Jewish people use their free will correctly. Many Jews believe that by following the mitzvot, they will live a good life, which will bring them closer to God. Some Jews believe this will also help them to be judged well in the afterlife and achieve a place in Gan EdenThe garden of Eden, used by Jews to mean heaven or paradise..
The story of Adam and EveThe first human beings according to Judeo-Christian and Islamic traditions. shows how God gave free will, but also that there are negative consequences if that free will is used to go against God.
Orthodox JewsJews who live by the Torah and rabbinic law (halakhah) and who only accept changes that can be supported by the Torah. obey the mitzvot strictly. However, some laws cannot be obeyed as they refer to the Temple (Judaism)The central place of Jewish worship in Jerusalem from biblical times until AD70., which no longer exists.
Question
Explain why Jews believe it is important to follow the mitzvot.
Jews believe that Moses received the mitzvot from God. Therefore, following the mitzvot will help them to live a good life as God would want. Jews also believe they were given free will by God in order to enable them to choose between right and wrong. Jews who use their free will to obey the mitzvot will be rewarded by God.
