Israel, the place call the holy land, the land, which Jesus walked, however, it is widely acknowledged that tensions between secular and religious sectors constitute a salient feature of Israeli society. If one were to try to summarize the relationship of Israel to Jewish religion, he would say that it is related but not equivalent to certain concepts of Israel. Most people think of the holy land when they hear the names Israel but one must ask the question is Israel truly the holy land. This essay will show the relationship between religion and Israel. Religion in the broadest sense may be defined as man's attitude towards the unseen, and the earliest forms of human thought furnish the clue from which must be traced the development of those great systems of religion that have at different time periods been professed by certain groups of people. The term religion must also include, not only beliefs in unseen spiritual agencies, but also numerous customs, superstitions, and myths which have usually been regarded by the people of the specific society or community. As far as, Jewish religion goes, there are many different opinions about the origin and history of people and the religion.
The Jews are a people who trace their descent from the biblical Israelites and who are united by the religion called Judaism. They are not a race; Jewish identity is a mixture of ethnic, national, and religious elements. An individual may become part of the Jewish people by conversion to Judaism; but a born Israel who rejects Judaism or adopts another religion does not entirely lose his Jewish identity. In biblical times the Jews were divided into 12 tribes: Reuben, Simeon (Levi), Judah, Issachar, Zebulun, Benjamin, Dan, Naphtali, Gad, Ash...
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...ment of the Israeli culture with religious Jewishness. Because of the diversity in the different religiosity categories’ exigencies from the social order, one may speak in this respect of the Israeli society as an example of conflictual multiculturalism. This notion designates this kind of multiculturalism where the dominant culture conditions the insertion of groups on their acceptance of exigencies which, in given respects, contradict their own self-perceptions. Religiosity in Israel is bound to multi-sided conflicts, which is conjunctively articulated through a continuum of approaches. This religious convictions stand behind the stage explains the sharpness that conflictedness may eventually take on. Yet, as we have seen, in this case, religiosity does not divide this society dichotomously and actors remain bound by common references, albeit unevenly.
...r remains faithful to the memory of his peaceful childhood when Jews and Palestinians lived together in peace, and the prospect of a better future. Despite the political wrongs his people have suffered, he is proud of his heritage and intends to “restore race relations between Jews and Palestinians, (by restoring) human dignity” (146). To do this, Chocour implements innovative techniques: he has Palestinians visit the Kibbutzim, and has Jews spend time with Palestinian families. Chocour’s message is quite honorable, “to change hearts not institutions” (222). Chocour remembers that “Jews and Palestinians are brothers, the(y) have the same father, Abraham, and believe in the same God” (34). It is sad that peoples in this region need to be remnded that they are brothers, but it is comforting that there are men like Chocour, who valiantly assume this task as their own.
I chose to write about Jewish-Americans after my mother, who was raised Christian, chose to identify herself as Jewish. In my reading I examined Jewish culture and how it is in American society. I looked at how Jewish-American culture has become a prominent component of American society. I looked at the historical forces that have shaped Jewish-American experience in the United States. I looked at demographics of where most Jewish-Americans live. I examined how Jewish-Americans have contributed to our culturally pluralistic society in the United States.
The Middle East has since time immemorial been on the global scope because of its explosive disposition. The Arab Israeli conflict has not been an exception as it has stood out to be one of the major endless conflicts not only in the region but also in the world. Its impact continues to be felt all over the world while a satisfying solution still remains intangible. A lot has also been said and written on the conflict, both factual and fallacious with some allegations being obviously evocative. All these allegations offer an array of disparate views on the conflict. This essay presents an overview of some of the major literature on the controversial conflict by offering precise and clear insights into the cause, nature, evolution and future of the Israel Arab conflict.
Following the declaration in 1977 by Israeli government officials that the Law of Return applied to Beta Israel, a flow of Ethiopian Jews have immigrated to Israel with values and traditions that has influenced the emerging society in their host country. Ethiopian Jews tend to possess more differences with Israeli Jewish culture in comparison to other immigrant groups and it is this that makes their adaptation to society a multifaceted process. The emergence of Zionism promised freedom, redemption, revolution, liberation and normalization ; concepts that appealed to Beta Israel who had been persecuted in Ethiopia. Simultaneously however, Israel was facing worldwide immigrants including those from the former Soviet Union, and it is the immigration of Russian immigrants that will provide a stark contrast in the differences of their assimilation. Israel, being a country of wide immigrant absorption, adopted the ‘melting pot’ idea in the hopes to create a unified Israel; this has proved unsuccessful following the problems that emerged from its use that was highlighted in the immigration of Ethiopian Jews. Immigrants perceived this ‘melting pot’ ideology as an instrument that was assisting to subject them to discrimination, which arguably led to a form of ethnocentrism taking place in Israel. Ethnocentrism is the belief that one’s culture is to be preferred over all others and provides a frame of reference in which to evaluate other beliefs, often leading to stereotyping and misplaced judgment . In recent years there has been an increase in the approval of cultural pluralism, however, this research paper will discuss the many factors that led to the immigration of Ethiopian Jews to Israel as well as the factors that rendered this absor...
...f society. The second point of view held that Jews were inherently bad and can never be salvaged despite any and all efforts made by Christians to assimilate them. These Christians felt that there was absolutely no possibility of Jews having and holding productive positions in society. All the aforementioned occurrences lead to the transformation of traditional Jewish communities, and paved the way for Jewish existence, as it is known today. It is apparent, even through the examination of recent history that there are reoccurring themes in Jewish history. The most profound and obvious theme is the question of whether Jews can be productive members of their country and at the same time remain loyal to their religion. This question was an issue that once again emerged in Nazi Germany, undoubtedly, and unfortunately, it is not the last time that question will be asked.
Since the inception of an Israeli nation-state in 1948, violence and conflict has played a major role in Israel’s brief history. In the Sixty-One year’s Israel has been a recognized nation-state, they have fought in 6 interstate wars, 2 civil wars, and over 144 dyadic militarized interstate disputes (MIDs) with some display of military force against other states (Maoz 5). Israel has been involved in constant conflict throughout the past half century. Israel’s tension against other states within the Middle East has spurred vast economic, social, and political unity that has fostered a sense of nationalism and unity in Israel not seen in most other states. Over the next several pages I will try and dissect the reasons for why the nation state of Israel has been emerged in constant conflict and how this conflict has helped foster national unity and identity among the people of Israel.
For more than two thousand years anti-Semitism has plagued the Jews, however, the term has only been around for about thirty years (Strack 594). Due to the hateful accusations and of those who did not understand their religion, Jews, as a scorned people, gradually became more exclusive and intolerant of other religions. Because of Judaism’s strict adherence to their own beliefs and unwillingness to consider any alternatives, Muslims and Christians have scorned and persecuted Jews.
Judaism was formed around 2000 B.C.E. when Abraham, a shepherd from Canaan, received the word and blessings of God (“Judaism Origins” 1). God told Abraham that he would bless him and his followers, and would ordain him as the leader of a great Jewish nation (Morris and Brown, 9). Jews believe that Abraham and other prophets, such as Moses, Samuel, Isaiah, Jeremiah and Ezekiel, were selected by God to deliver his message and teaching to others (Morrison and Brown, 10). Jacob, the grandson of Abraham, fathers 12 sons who become the head of the twelve tribes of Israel (“Judaism Origins,” 2). Later, Moses, a prophet of the Lord, received Gods law in the form of the Thirteen Principles of Faith and ...
In the post-doctoral Cohen was in the search of whether or not there was a period of time were Jews, Christians and Muslims lived in peace under the control of the Islamic world. This event was called convivencia and occurred during the Golden Age. The region where this event took place was Spain. The convivencia was a controversial topic due to the differences in religion among the groups. Recent Spanish historians do not take for consideration the event of convivencia due to the disbelief that it actually occurred. Jewish historians have their side of the story where they argue that Jewish-Islamic relations during convivencia were harmonious. There are suggestions that this event of peace among these three groups was impossible based upon religious challenges. Each different version about convivencia has been influence by politics. Cohen was not only able to answer whether convivencia took place, but also demonstrated an extended background about each culture. Cohen emphasizes the roles that each group played during convivencia and the influences and contributions that each one contributed. In Islamic Spain there was a greater tolerance and freedom than anywhere else in that area. Jews and Christians had the option to pay a poll tax to be protected under the same rules as Muslims. Jews were protected from discrimination and had the right to be treated as any other Muslim. In contrast, with Christians-Jew relations there was an immediate social, economic and religious difference. Christians believed that they were superior to Jews. Relations between Christians and Jews were not as engaging as relations between Jews and Muslims. The main idea that kept Jews in a good social position was their influence in local economy. Many Jews...
Introduction Judaism is a religion that can be traced back as far as 2000 B.C.E. It was founded in Canaan and it has an estimated 14 million followers. The sacred texts that are associated with it are the Torah, Tanakh (Hebrew Scriptures), and the Talmud. Judaism has influenced a variety of religions, including Christianity and Islam. It promotes a single god belief for all Jewish people and the belief that all people are created in the image of God. There are a vast number of individuals who were influenced by the principles surrounding Judaism, and this dissertation will present the most significant figure in the history of Judaism, Moses Maimonides.
Judaism is one of the most ancient religions in the world. Abraham, his descendants, and Moses are believed to have been the founders. According to Jewish beliefs until Abraham man worshiped many Gods. The story begins with Abraham and his wife Sarah trying to conceive a child. When Abraham was 99 and Sarah 90 God came to Abraham and told him they would have a son. After the child was born God again came to Abraham and tested his beliefs by asking him to sacrifice his only son Isaac. Isaac willingly went with Abraham to be sacrificed. Before Abraham could sacrifice Isaac God sent an angel down to stop him. As a reward for his faith God made a covenant with Abraham that he and his descendants would be protected as long as they continued to show faith in him and live a life that was wholesome. Also from this it is said God blessed Abraham with many children. His son Isaac had two sons Jacob and Esau, Jacob who changes his name to Israel had twelve sons. Israel’s had twelve sons they are the “12 tribes of Israel” and their descendants are later known as the Israelites also called Hebrews.
...pears the Jews believe God resembles a person more than a supreme being; let me elaborate, the Jews have a personal relationship with God. They believe God cares about humanity in the same manner humans care about God. Throughout history, other religions may have taught people to fear God, in the Judaism religion, it appears they do not fear God, they look to God as a friend.
The work points out that autonomous assimilation among Jews has replaced anti-Semitism to become the new threat to Jewish ethnic particularity from the sociological perspective. Concerning Jews, with special ethnic culture, social assimilation means they have to accept the mainstream culture model and alter ethnic identity awareness and thinking approach. American democracy, individualism and liberty inject a fresh blood into Jew but is this great success or unexpected failure? Nobody knows. Social assimilation promotes minority nationality into mainstream society but with the deepening of assimilation, the loss of national uniqueness is
In ancient Israel, as with many cultures, the diviner met the need for direct, immediate, and specific guidance concerning the divine’s will. God has made known to Israel a quite different possibility of communicating with the divine, namely through the prophetic office. This role is unique to the Israelite community particularly when considering Israel’s recent past, where they were threatened by the political and spiritual sovereignty of Mesopotamia in the time of Abraham and Egypt under Moses’ leadership. The prophet is called to be the spokesperson for God and for God’s word with Moses as the model prophet. As such, the office of the prophet serves as a mechanism to hold the Israelite community accountable to the covenantal promises as
There are many religions today that people worship and adapt into their daily lives are their creed. Some may have a lot of gods, while some only have one god. But three of these religions are considered as the major religion practiced by most people in the world today. Although different in some senses in terms of history and other teachings, they all have things in common that most of their followers do not seem to realize. The similarities are very important to understand each religion better and be able to determine which parts they vary. In this paper, I like to discuss the similarities found in the three major monotheistic religions of Judaism, Islam and Christianity.