Judaism For Dummies

Description

Your plain-English guide to Judaism Whether you're interested in the religion or the spirituality, the culture or the ethnic traditions, Judaism For Dummies explores the full spectrum of Judaism, dipping into the mystical, meditative, and spiritual depth of the faith and the practice. In this warm and welcoming book, you'll find coverage of: Orthodox Jews and breakaway denominations; Judaism as a daily practice; the food and fabric of Judaism; Jewish wedding ceremonies; celebrations and holy days; 4,000 years of pain, sadness, triumph, and joy; great Jewish thinkers and histo.;Judaism For Dummies®, 2nd Edition; Contents at a Glance; Table of Contents; Introduction; About This Book; Conventions Used in This Book; Foolish Assumptions; How This Book Is Organized; Icons Used in This Book; Where to Go from Here; Part I: What Jews Generally Believe; Chapter 1: That's Funny, You Don't Look Jewish: Who's a Jew and Why; The Jewish Tribe; Major Branches of the Tree; Guess Who Else Is Jewish; Chapter 2: It's All One: Judaism and God; Pondering Jewish Beliefs about God; Calling One God Many Names; Looking behind the Name; Embarking on a Quest for Ultimate Reality. Judaism For Dummies®, 2nd Edition Contents at a Glance Table of Contents Introduction About This Book Conventions Used in This Book Foolish Assumptions How This Book Is Organized Icons Used in This Book Where to Go from Here Part I: What Jews Generally Believe Chapter 1: That's Funny, You Don't Look Jewish: Who's a Jew and Why The Jewish Tribe Major Branches of the Tree Guess Who Else Is Jewish Chapter 2: It's All One: Judaism and God Pondering Jewish Beliefs about God Calling One God Many Names Looking behind the Name Embarking on a Quest for Ultimate Reality. Chapter 3: A Never-Ending Torah: The Unfolding of a TraditionTorah: The Light That Never Dims The TaNaKH: The Hebrew Bible A Hidden Revolution: The Oral Torah The Expanding Torah Chapter 4: A Path of Blessing: Judaism as a Daily Practice Connecting With God and Community through Practice: The Mitzvot Connecting With God and Community through Blessings and Prayers Going to Synagogue Following Jewish Dietary Laws: A Brief Guide to Kosher Food Purifying the Spirit: Rites and Rituals Dressing for God: Jewish Garments and Clothing Customs The Jewish Home So Go Now and Live. Chapter 5: Jewish MysticismDelving Into Jewish Mysticism Taking a Magical Mystical Tour Going Above and Beyond: Jewish Meditation Following Maps to Understanding: The Images and Symbols Chapter 6: Ethical Challenges Getting to the Heart of the Matter Meeting at the Intersection of Righteousness and Charity Unraveling the Problem of the Other Intra-and Interfaith Challenges Embracing Our Sexuality Finding a Way to Peace Respecting Animals and the Environment Striving for tikkun olam Part II: From Womb to Tomb: The Life Cycle Chapter 7: In the Beginning: Birth and Bris. Making the Cut: Ritual CircumcisionThanking God for Little Girls Playing the Name Game Buying Back the First Born Chapter 8: Coming of Age: The Bar/Bat Mitzvah Preparing for the Big Day Celebrating the Bar/Bat Mitzvah Confirming Your Beliefs Chapter 9: Get Me to the Chuppah On Time: Weddings Looking at the Origins of Jewish Marriage Preparing for the Ceremony Enjoying the Wedding Getting a Get: Divorce Chapter 10: Stepping Through the Valley: The Shadow of Death Planning for Death Arranging the Funeral Observing the Mourning Period Saying Kaddish Remembering the Dead. Part III: An Overview of Jewish HistoryChapter 11: Let My People Go: From Abraham to Exodus The Genesis of a People The Son Also Rises The Enslavement and Exodus Entering the Promised Land Chapter 12: The Kings of Israel: The First Temple Finding the Right Guy to Be King Continuing War and Peace Living under the Lion of Judah Telling a Tale of Two Kingdoms The Fall of the First Temple Chapter 13: Bracketed by Exile: The Second Temple Finding a Home away from Home It's All Greek to Me A Parting of Ways All Roads Lead to Rome An Edifice Complex Sects and Violence.