To give a glimpse into how specific the laws are regarding the Shema, according to Berakhot, the Shema may not be recited backward but it may be recited by a workman from a tree or scaffolding. ... Jewish prayer is a window into the beauty and heart of Judaism and gives us a glimpse into the tension between Jewish law and spirituality. ... Right away this opening chapter of the Talmud gives some interesting insights into rabbinic literature. ...

• Word Count: 3136
• Approx Pages: 13
• Has Bibliography
• Grade Level: High School

Semitic religions include Judaism, Islam, and Christianity, where Judaism is said to be "the trunk of a tree," while Christianity and Islam are "two huge branches" (Lovat, et al., 2000). ... As with Judaism, life is seen as a gift from God and therefore life is expected to be lived constantly giving thanks and praise to Allah. ... DEATH In the moments before death, the dying Muslim attempts to utter the Shahada, while companions provide reassurance by reciting versus from the Qur"an, for example, "it is God who gives life, and who takes it away, and it is to him we shall all return" (Nicholas...

• Word Count: 2793
• Approx Pages: 11
• Grade Level: High School

Intermarriage between Christians and former Jews became commonplace and within two generations, most of Spanish nobility had some Jewish branches in their family tree (Stewart 35). ... Many Conversos also kept up some Jewish practices and would give gifts of oil to their old synagogues. ...

• Word Count: 2512
• Approx Pages: 10
• Has Bibliography

The timing of this message is also significant because Zerubbabel, governor of Judah and Joshua, the high priest, remained idle and did not give priority to the building of the Lord's temple which was in ruin. 1.2 The Excuse of the People (1:2-4) The miserable excuse of the people was that the time had not yet come to proceed with the rebuilding of the temple. ... Eighteen long years had passed but the people put on hold the unfinished work on the temple while they gave priority to what they think was personally important to them. 1.3 The Consequences for neglecting the temple (1:5-6...

• Word Count: 3103
• Approx Pages: 12
• Has Bibliography
• Grade Level: High School

Tu B'Shevat is the New Year for trees so that is can be decided when they are four years old, which is when they are old enough to harvest from. ... It also celebrates the giving of the Torah to Abraham at Mt. ...

• Word Count: 4291
• Approx Pages: 17
• Grade Level: High School

Jewish religious and cultural history and biblical authority have made the Bible one of the most important means by which woman's place in society has been defined down through the centuries. Not only is the Bible itself a partial historical document of the Jews, the way it has been received and analyzed has its own intriguing historical chronology. It is nearly impossible to accurately posit a specific date to any books or verses in the Hebrew Bible.1 The Dead Sea Scrolls, most probably written by a minor sect, the Essenes, are the oldest extant pieces of scripture. Prior to their discov...

• Word Count: 2927
• Approx Pages: 12
• Grade Level: High School

These consist of: the proclamation of Allah's superiority and singularity, the praying towards the holy city of Mecca at least five times daily, the giving of charity to the needy, the observance of the fast during the Islamic month of Ramadan and, if possible, the pilgrimage to Mecca. ...

• Word Count: 3357
• Approx Pages: 13
• Grade Level: Undergraduate