The impact of culture and cultures upon Jewish customs and rituals : collected essays /

This book discusses the development of practices associated with customs and artifacts used in Jewish ceremonies when viewed from the vantage of anthropological studies. It can also function as a guide to practical halakhah. The author examines topics such as Torah Scrolls, ceremonial use of fire, P...

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Bibliographic Details
Main Author: Fishbane, Simcha (Author)
Format: Book
Language:English
Published: Boston : Academic Studies Press, 2016
Series:Judaism and Jewish life
Subjects:
Description
Summary:This book discusses the development of practices associated with customs and artifacts used in Jewish ceremonies when viewed from the vantage of anthropological studies. It can also function as a guide to practical halakhah. The author examines topics such as Torah Scrolls, ceremonial use of fire, Purim customs, the festival of Shavuot, magic and superstition. This investigation, at times, compares some Jewish observances with the wider cultural observances or notions of the broader, gentile societies in which Jews were located when these customs originated. It is found that the time and location of a practice's origin is often critical to appreciating a shared context. In all cases the Jewish practice becomes reinterpreted within a specifically Jewish narrative and legal structure
Physical Description:1 online resource
Bibliography:Includes bibliographical references and index
ISBN:1618114921
9781618114921