Judaism as a Way of Life

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Judaism as a Way of Life Judaism is a way of life. It is a religion that goes beyond the normal boundaries and reaches deep into daily life. "To be Jewish is to live a certain way before God, not to hold to a specific creed or confession " (Rousmaniere, 128). The laws of the Torah, its interpretations in the Mishnah and the Talmud teach a Jewish person how to live and what rules to follow. To be Jewish means more than just going to a synagogue and praying. Jewish traditions place a high value on the sanctity of daily life and community spirit. Prayers were not limited to the synagogue, but also took on an active role in the home. Meals were very important in the Jewish tradition. Blessings were said at the beginning and the end of the meal. Not only during ceremonial meals on the Sabbath, but everyday meals and snacks as well. These table prayers include " Blessed are You, Adony our God, Ruler of the Universe, Creator of the fruit of the vine" and " Blessed are You, Adony our God, Ruler of the Universe, Who takes bread out of the earth" (Rousmaniere, 137). The only p...

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