Ancient Belief Systems: Judaism Books

From the early history of Judaism to the festivals celebrated today, World Faiths: Judaism is the definitive guide to the world's oldest monotheistic religion. All of the significant events, including the destruction of the Temple and the Diaspora, are vividly recounted. The importance of tradition -- both written and oral -- and the central role of worship in Jewish life are covered, as well as key rituals and celebrations such as the Passover meal.

People of the Jewish faith first arrived in the Americas in October 1492, when Christopher Columbus' three ships landed in the Caribbean. Fleeing the Spanish Inquisition, other Jews soon followed. This book traces their journey from the early days in America and their participation in the Revolutionary and Civil Wars, to the impact of World War II and the Holocaust on Jewish life in America. Readers will learn about the various ways Judaism is practiced in the U.S. as well as the contributions Jews have made to American society - in particular their impact on governmental agencies, philanthropic organizations, banking and investment, the performing arts, and sports. Readers will learn about Jewish religious traditions such as bar and bat mitzvahs, holidays such as Yom Kippur and Hanukkah, holy texts such as the Torah and the Talmud, and American places of interest such as New York City's Lower East Side and the Holocaust Museum. In addition, this book looks at the biggest issues facing Jewish Americans today and their challenges for the future.

Although the ethnic-religious tradition that became classical Judaism solidified around 100 CE, its roots are found in the ancient biblical tales of the Israelites. Stories of the descent into Egypt, the Exodus under Moses, and the eventual rise of the Israelite monarchy are essential to understanding classical rabbinic Judaism. Through the lens of modern biblical scholarship, Hayes explores the shifting cultural contexts--the Babylonian exile, the Roman Empire, the Byzantine period, the rise of Christianity--that affected Jewish thought and practice, and laid the groundwork for the Talmudic era and its modern legacy. Thematic chapters explore the evolution of Judaism through its beginnings in biblical monotheism, the Second Temple Period in Palestine, the interaction of Hellenism and Judaism, the spread of rabbinic authority, and the essence of ethno-religious Jewish identity. Biographical sketches of key figures from patriarchs to prophets, and primary selections from the Hebrew bible, the Dead Sea Scrolls, the Talmud, and others, allow for a greater understanding of an ancient movement, and provide a solid introduction to the origins of one of the world's most influential religions.