The Everything Judaism Book : a Complete Primer to the Jewish Faith-From Holidays and Rituals to Traditions and Culture

Description

Judaism has survived for four millennia, and many of its customs, laws, and traditions have remained exactly the same today as in the days of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. The Everything Judaism Book explains the major precepts of this robust religion in language anyone can understand and appreciate. From High Holy Days, such as Passover and Yom Kippur, to symbols and objects, such as the Star of David and the tallis prayer shawl, Jews and non-Jews alike will gain new understanding and insights into the rich diversity and seemingly endless complexity of Jewish practices and culture. Authoritative and thought-provoking, The Everything Judaism Book has been exhaustively reviewed for accuracy by Orthodox Rabbi Jacob Rosenthal and Reform Rabbi Robert Leib. The Everything Judaism Book is a terrific introduction if you're learning the religion for the first time, a great way to brush up on facts you may have forgotten from Hebrew school, and the perfect mitzvah (good deed) gift for a friend or relative Content: Cover Copyright Contents Acknowledgments Introduction CHAPTER 1: What Is Judaism? CHAPTER 2: The Branches of Judaism CHAPTER 3: Spirituality in Judaism CHAPTER 4: The Languages of Judaism CHAPTER 5: Judaism's Holy Texts CHAPTER 6: Living in Accordance with the Law CHAPTER 7: The Place of Prayer in Judaism CHAPTER 8: Judaica: Religious Objects and Attire CHAPTER 9: The Sabbath CHAPTER 10: Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur CHAPTER 11: Sukkot, Shemini Atzeret, and Simchat Torah CHAPTER 12: Chanukah: the Festival of Lights CHAPTER 13: Celebrating Purim. CHAPTER 14: Passover: a Story of LiberationCHAPTER 15: Shavuot, Tisha B'Av, and Tu B'Shevat CHAPTER 16: A New Life CHAPTER 17: Bar Mitzvah, Bat Mitzvah, and Confirmation CHAPTER 18: Marriage and Divorce CHAPTER 19: Death, Mourning, and the Afterlife CHAPTER 20: The Jewish Culture APPENDIX A: Glossary APPENDIX B: Common Prayers and Blessings APPENDIX C: Books, Periodicals, and Web Sites Index.