Kosher refers to foods which conform to Jewish law, originating from the ritual decalogue , books of Leviticus and Deuteronomy in the Torah: I am the Lord your G_d; consecrate yourselves and be holy, because I am holy. Do not make yourselves unclean by any creature that moves about on the ground. Prohibited foods include [...]
Posts Tagged ‘Judaism’
Candlemas:the Presentation of Jesus at the Temple
Posted in Festivals, Liturgy, Religion, tagged Candlemas, Christianity, Judaism, Presentation of Jesus at the temple on January 23, 2011 | Leave a Comment »
2 nd February traditionally marks the end of epiphany in the Christian calendar with a feast day commemorating when Mary and Joseph take the baby Jesus to the Temple in Jerusalem as part of Mary’s ritual cleansing after childbirth. Now there was a man in Jerusalem called Simeon, who was righteous and devout. He was [...]
El Ghriba
Posted in Beliefs, Places, tagged Djerba, El Ghriba, Judaism, Sefer Torah on January 15, 2011 | 2 Comments »
On the island of Djerba off the Tunisian coast is one of the world’s oldest synagogues, El Ghriba. The world’s oldest Sefer Torah, the handwritten Jewish scripture, is kept there: Though the official state religion of Tunisia is Islam, the secular culture embraces religious freedom and outward religious displays such as the hijab have been officially [...]
Hannukah,Festival of Lights
Posted in Beliefs, Festivals, History, tagged Hannukah, Judaism on December 1, 2010 | Leave a Comment »
The Jewish Festival of Lights or Hannukah begins this week, an eight day commemoration for the dedication of the second temple in Jerusalem. Each night another candle is lit on a Menorah from the central flame and blessings are spoken: Transliteration: Barukh ata Adonai Eloheinu melekh ha‑olam, asher kid’shanu b’mitzvotav v’tzivanu l’hadlik ner (shel) hanuka. [...]
Tisha B’Av
Posted in Beliefs, History, Religion, tagged Judaism, Tisha B'Av on July 20, 2010 | 2 Comments »
Tomorrow commemorates Tisha B’Av, the Ninth Day of Mourning sometimes called ‘the saddest day in Jewish history’- a fast day to remember the destruction of both Temples in Jerusalem. It is believed that a Jewish Messiah will be born on Tisha B’Av, which is sometimes interpreted literally, or as a metaphor for the hope of the Jewish peoples. [...]
Tikkun Olam
Posted in Art, Beliefs, Religion, tagged Judaism, Tikkun Olam on May 14, 2010 | Leave a Comment »
תיקון עולם Tikkun Olam means in Hebrew ‘repairing the world’ and is the Jewish belief in creating a good society and reaching out to others through ethical living, compassion and charity. The early rabbis sought to create a system of theological social justice, and it has come to be associated with the mitzvot commandments justice, taking care of the poor, [...]
Jerusalem Old City
Posted in History, Maps, Places, Religion, tagged Christianity, Islam, Judaism, Old Jerusalem on May 3, 2010 | Leave a Comment »
In the east of the modern city of Jerusalem is the walled city of Old Jerusalem, cultural and religious center for the three Abrahamic faiths, and one of the oldest continually inhabited cities in the world. The Armenian Apostolic Church, represented by the christian Armenian smallest segment, is the world’s oldest national religion. The Dome of the Rock is [...]
Yom Hashoah
Posted in Current events, History, Memorials, tagged Holocaust Memorial Day, Judaism on April 12, 2010 | 2 Comments »
Today is Holocaust and Ghetto Revolt Remembrance Day where candles are lit around the world to remember the six million Jewish victims of the Nazi genocide during World War Two. Stories of Freedom: What you do matters is the theme of the Holocaust Remembrance Day 2010 in the US, whilst in Israel there was a two [...]
When God Was A Woman
Posted in Beliefs, Books, Mythology, tagged "When God Was A Woman", Catholicism, Gnosticism, Judaism, Mother Goddess, Professor Merlin Stone, Venus Figurine on February 11, 2010 | 2 Comments »
In 1976 Professor Merlin Stone put together some of her work on early religion in the book ‘When God Was A Woman’ describing how patriarchal values influenced the development of the three Abrahamic religions and lead to the suppression, destruction or ignoring of earlier cultures. Many ancient figures of women have been found from the Late Stone Age on, they are [...]
Ketubah
Posted in Beliefs, Documents, tagged Jewish Ceremonial Art, Jewish marriage, Judaism, Ketubah, Orthodox Judaism on February 4, 2010 | 1 Comment »
The Ketubah is a Jewish prenuptial agreement detailing the rights and responsibilities of the bride and groom. It dates from ancient times as a financial protection for women, with two witnesses who will testify to the groom’s promises. Originally written in Aramaic, it may also be in English or Hebrew, and a typical text reads: On the [...]
