Category: Rituals

Ablution (Immersion)

This informative excerpt from the Encyclopedia Judaica 2:81-82 provides a detailed explanation of the significance and symbolism involved in the act of ritual immersion or ablution in the Jewish faith. This powerful act of washing serves to transform an individual from a state of impurity to a state of purity, enabling them to participate in a number of specific Jewish rites and practices. While some may view the act of immersion as being simply hygienic or even magical, the rabbis themselves viewed it as a divine commandment, and for that reason did not question its significance. In most cases of ritual impurity, complete immersion in water is required, as prescribed by the Torahתּוֹרָה‎Tōrā,/ˈtɔːrə, ˈtoʊrə/; law, teaching, direction, instruction – The first five books of the Bible or also called “the books of Moses” comes from an archery term meaning to shoot.. This act of immersion and subsequent purification is a powerful symbol of transformation, and is particularly significant for those who are converting to Judaism, as it serves as a ritual of spiritual rebirth. Even today, the act of immersion is accompanied by intention and a benediction, and its enduring impact continues to offer hope for spiritual renewal and personal transformation. Links outside of Mystudybible.us  Non-Traditional Uses For the Mikveh

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Circumcision

From When A Jew Celebrates Pages 20 -22 On the eighth day after birth, Jewish boys are circumcised. According to the Torah, this ceremony began with Abraham. Jews made circumcision a special mitzvah, a commandment. Just as Jews took ancient harvest festivals and gave them special religious meaning, so they changed the ancient custom of circumcision and made it a special mark of the Jewish male. Nor have the Jews ever doubted the importance of circumcision. The ceremony of circumcision is called Berit Milah, from berit meaning “covenant”, and milah “circumcision”. According to tradition it must take place on the eight day after birth. It can be delayed only if the baby is to weak. In fact, the date is considered so important that it take place even if the eight day falls on Shabbath or Yom Kippur. The circumcision my take place in the hospital, in the synagogue, or at home. Nevertheless, some Jews have it done on any day before the baby leaves the hospital. Circumcision is a minor operation. It is done by a man called – a Mohel – who has been trained in this procedure. It is some times done by a Jewish surgeon, a rabbi present. A traditional Berit Milah involves the whole family, but four people are most important -in addition to the baby. Three of the four are physically present at the ceremony- the godmother the godfather, and the Mohel. The fourth, the prophet Elijah, is there in spirit. At a traditional Berit Milah there is even an empty chair left for Elijah. More on teachings Jewish children Historic Rituals for Welcoming Jewish Daughters

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First Born

From When a Jew Celebrates Redeeming the firstborn is another traditional ceremony marked for some babies – firstborn sons. (This refers only to the firstborn of the mother; the father might have other sons if he was previously married.) This ceremony goes back to the Torahתּוֹרָה‎Tōrā,/ˈtɔːrə, ˈtoʊrə/; law, teaching, direction, instruction – The first five books of the Bible or also called “the books of Moses” comes from an archery term meaning to shoot. It is called Pidyon ha-Ben (Hebrew: פדיון הבן) or redemption of the first-born son is a mitzvah in Judaism whereby a Jewish firstborn son is “redeemed” by use of silver coins. Interpretations differ in what the firstborn son is to be redeemed from, ranging from being redeemed from their firstborn status, which was stigmatized after the Ten Plagues, or their obligation to serve as a priest., redemption of the firstborn. Since all creatures and things come from God, the Bible says that all firstborn things and creatures should be shared with God in thanks. So the first fruits, the first grains, and the first of the flock were brought to the Temple and given to God. It was supposed to be the same with the firstborn sons. They too were to be brought to the Temple to serve God. However, it became the custom for the father to redeem his son from the Temple service by a gift of money. The gift was five shekels. This ancient custom is continued today by many families. On the thirteenth day after the birth of the mother’s son, a Kohen A descendant of the ancient priestly families is invited to the house – along with all the relatives, of course, for the party that follows.The parents give the Kohen A descendant of the ancient priestly families the equivalent of five shekels, usually five dollars, and the child is redeemed from special service to God. The Kohen A descendant of the ancient priestly families usually gives the money to charity. More on teachings Jewish children Historic Rituals for Welcoming Jewish Daughters

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Marriage (Hasdic View)

The Hasdic Anthology page 24 Rabbi Isaiah Kalman Halberstadt said: “We read in the Talmud (Taanith 30b): Said Rabban Simeon ben Gamaliel: ‘There were no holidays in Israel Like Yom Kippur and the Fifteenth of Ab.’ On the latter day (Midsummer Day) the maidens were privileged to ask young men in marriage. They would arrange an open air dance in the vineyards; all were dressed in pure white garments, and when youths would approach, the maidens would divide into three groups. The handsome girls would say: ‘Observe beauty for it is fitting a wife should be of comely appearance’. Those of noble family would say: ‘Observe or high-born, lineage for this forebodies good children’. Those of unpreposseing countenance would say: ‘Take to yourselves wives for the sake of the will of God, and adorn us with gold’. “The phrases of the handsome maidens and the last words spoken by the unhandsome may seem frivolous. But they will not appear thus on closer scrutiny and explanation. “When a man wishes to donate a Scroll of the Torah תּוֹרָה ‎Tōrā,/ˈtɔːrə, ˈtoʊrə/; law, teaching, direction, instruction – The first five books of the Bible or also called “the books of Moses” comes from an archery term meaning to shoot., he usually, desires to do so in a generous fashion. He may either spend additional money to obtain excellent parchment and fine script. This may be accounted ‘beauty of the body’. Or he may seek for a scroll written by a man of rare piety and holiness. This may be accounted associations. Or he may strive to obtain a beautiful coverlet, or a fine pair of holder, or decorative adornments for the Scroll. This may be accounted as ‘beauty of exterior’. In each instance the man endeavors to perform the MitzvahמִּצְוָהTransliteration: miṣvâ Pronunciation:mits-vaw’ feminine noun Meaning: a command, whether human or divine (collectively, the Law):—(which was) commanded(-ment), law, ordinance, precept. For more info click here in a beautiful manner.” “So it is with the maidens. The first group says: ‘When you seek to perform the MitzvahמִּצְוָהTransliteration: miṣvâ Pronunciation:mits-vaw’ feminine noun Meaning: a command, whether human or divine (collectively, the Law):—(which was) commanded(-ment), law, ordinance, precept. For more info click here of taking a wife to yourself in a fitting manner, consider ‘beauty of the body’.The second group says: ‘Consider the beauty of noble decent’.The third group says: ‘We have neither beauty of the body or noble decent. But if you wish to marry solely for the sake of the Mitzvah and not for the ulterior motives, then demonstrate this by marring us. As for the beauty you may wish to add to the MitzvahמִּצְוָהTransliteration: miṣvâ Pronunciation:mits-vaw’ feminine noun Meaning: a command, whether human or divine (collectively, the Law):—(which was) commanded(-ment), law, ordinance, precept. For more info click here, it will be sufficient to adorn us with costly garments and jewels.” Tif. Haz., pp 66-67

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Mikveh

A collection of water A pool or bath of clear water, immersion in which renders ritually clean a person who become ritually unclean through contact with the dead (Num. 19) or any other defiling object or through an unclean flux from the body (Lev. 15) and especially a menstruant. It is similarly used for vessels (Num 31: 22- 23). At the present day the chief use of the mikveh is for the menstruant. since the laws of ritual impurity no longer apply after the destruction of the Temple. However, since according to the halakhah the contracting of marital relations while the wife is in the state of niddah“Menstrous Woman” — According to Jewish law, a woman is forbidden to maintain sexual relations with her husband during and for sometimes both before and after her menses. is a particularly severe offense, punishable by karet, and according to one opinion in the Talmud (not however accepted as halakhah), that a child born of such a union is a mamzer, the rabbis insisted meticulous adherence to the laws of immersion in a mikveh before his mother could resume marital relations. They are also obligatory for the immersion of proselytes, as part of the ceremony of conversion. In addition immersion in the mikveh is still practiced by various groups as an aid to spiritually, particularly on the eve of the Sabbath and festivals, especially the Day of Atonement (see Ablution) and the customs still obtains, in accordance with Numbers 31:22 – 23 to immerse new vessels and utensils purchased from non-Jews. MikvehTeachings of Maimonides It is emphasized that the purpose of immersion is not physical, but spiritual, cleanliness. Maimonides concludes his codification of the laws of the mikveh with the following statement: It is plain that the laws about immersion as means of freeing oneself from uncleanness are decrees laid down by Scripture and not matters about which human understanding is capable of forming a judgment; for behold, they are included among the divine statues. Now ‘uncleanness is not mud or filth which water can remove, but is a matter of scriptural decree and dependent on the intention of the heart. So the Sages have said ‘If a man immerses himself without special intention, it is though he has never immersed himself at all’. However we may find some indication [for moral basis] of this: Just as one sets his heart on becoming clean as soon as he has immersed himself, although nothing new has befallen his body, so, too, one who sets his heart on cleansing himself from uncleanness that beset men’s souls – namely, wrongful thoughts and false convictions – becomes clean as soon as he consents in his heart to shun those counsels and brings his soul into the waters of pure reason. Behold, Scriptures say ‘And I will sprinkle clean water upon you and you shall be clean; from all your uncleanness and from your idols I will cleanse you [Ezek, 36:25] (Yad, mikva’ot 11:12). MikvehRabbinical Teachings Stress on intention is passed from Judaism into Islam. “Purity is the half of faith” is the saying attributed to Muhammad himself and the general laws of uncleanness in Islam bear a striking resemblance to those of Judaism. (Encyclopedia of Islam, s.v.Takara) According to biblical law any collection of water, drawn or otherwise, is suitable for a mikveh as long as it contains enough for a person to immerse himself (Yad, ibid. 4:1).The rabbis, however, enacted that only water which had not been drawn, i.e., has not been in a vessel or receptacle, may be used; and they further established that the minimum quantity for immersion is that which is contained in a square cubit noun — an ancient measure of length, approximately equal to the length of a forearm. It was typically about 18 inches or 44 cm, though there was a long cubit of about 21 inches or 52 cm. — ORIGIN Middle English : from Latin cubitum ‘elbow, forearm, cubit’. For more info click here to the height of three cubits noun — an ancient measure of length, approximately equal to the length of a forearm. It was typically about 18 inches or 44 cm, though there was a long cubit of about 21 inches or 52 cm. — ORIGIN Middle English : from Latin cubitum ‘elbow, forearm, cubit’. For more info click here. A mikveh containing less than this amount (which they estimated to be a volume of 40 seah, between 250 1,000 liters according to various calculations) becomes invalid should three log of water fall into it or be added. However, if the mikveh contains more than this amount it can never become invalid no matter how much drawn water is added to it. < p style=”text-align: center;”>For more info on weights and measures click here

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Nazirite

From The Encylopaedia Judacia A person who vows for a specific period to abstain from partaking of grapes or any of it’s products whether intoxicating or not, cutting his hair, and touching a corpse (6:3-9) Such a person is called a Nazirite (HEBREW nazir) from the root nzr meaning to separate or dedicate oneself (eg. , nifal, Lev. 22:2 ; hifi. Lev. 15:31 Num. 6: 2 The subject is dealt with in the Priestly Code (Num. 6)

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Niddah

“Menstrous Woman” נִדָּה According to Jewish law, a woman is forbidden to maintain sexual relations with her husband during and for sometimes both before and after her menses. For info on the word click here

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Proselytes (law of conversion)

From The Encylopaedia Judacia 13:1183-1184 The procedure, established by the tannaim, according to which a non-Jew may be into the Jewish faith, was elucided as follows: “in our days, when a proselyte came to be converted we say to him: ‘What is your objective? Is it not known to you that the people of Israel are wretched, driven about exiled, and in constant suffering?’ If he says : ‘I know of this and I do not have the merit’ we accept him immediately and we inform him of some of the lighter precepts and some of the severer ones… We inform him of the chastisements for transgression of the precepts and we also inform him of the reward for obcepts… and we also inform him of the reward for observing these precepts… we should not overburden him nor be meticulous with him.” (Yev. 47a: CF. Ger. 1 in: M.Higger, Sheva Masskhott Ketannot (1930, 68-69) R. Eliezar and R. Joshua disagreed as to whether someone who immersed himself but was not circumcised or vice versa could be considered a proselyte. According to R. Eliezer, he is a proselyte, even if he performed only one of these commandments. R. Joshua, however, maintained that immersion was indispensable. The halakhic conclusion is that “he is not a proselyte unless he has both been circumcised and has immersed himself” (Yev.46) The act of conversion must take place before a betdin, consisting of three members; a conversion carried out the proselyte when alone is invalid (Yev. 46b -47a). There is a suggestion that the three members of the bet din must be witnesses only to his acceptance of the precepts but not the immersion. Maimonides however decided (Yad, Issurei Bi’ah 13:7), that a proselyte who immersed himself in the presence of two member only is not a proselyte. The schools of Shammai and Hillel differed on the issue of proselyte who had already been circumcised at the time of his conversion: “Bet Shammai states ‘One need not draw the blood of circumcision from him” (Tosef., Shab 15:9 TB, Shab. 135a; Maim. Yad. Issure Bi’ah 14:5 Sh. Ar YD 268:1) and “who have sanctified us with your commandments and have commanded us to circumcise proselytes and to draw from them blood of the covenant.” (Shab. 137b)is said in the circumcision benediction of the proselytes. A proselyte must observe all the precepts that bind Jews. The statement: “There shall be one law for the citizen and one for the stranger that dwells amongst you” (Ex. 12:29).which refers to the paschal lamb, the sages interpreted to mean that the stranger (proselyte) was the equal of the citizen concerning all precepts of the torah (Mekh. Pisha, 15) They tried to equalize the status of the proselyte and that of the Jew; Certain differences stemming from the origin of the convert, however, remained.

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Purity in Second Temple Times

This array of vessels from Jerusalemיְרוּשָׁלַם‎Transliteration: yᵊrûšālam – Pronunciation: yer-oo-shaw-lah’-im – proper locative noun meaning “teaching of peace” or possession of peace – also called the city of David and Zion – the chief city of Palestine and capital of the united kingdom and the nation of Judah after the split For more info click here provides evidence of the stone-craving industry that flourished in the city at the end of the Second Temple Period (form the first century B.C.E. until the Roman destruction of Jerusalemיְרוּשָׁלַם‎Transliteration: yᵊrûšālam – Pronunciation: yer-oo-shaw-lah’-im – proper locative noun meaning “teaching of peace” or possession of peace – also called the city of David and Zion – the chief city of Palestine and capital of the united kingdom and the nation of Judah after the split For more info click here in 70 C.E.). Highly skilled artisans carved this collection, which includes small household mugs (foreground), a wine jar (left of center) and large water storage jars, all from the white chalk (a soft limestone) abundant in quarries surrounding the city.According to Jewish law, Stone vessels, unlike pottery, are not susceptible to becoming ritually impure. The Unprecedented increase in the production of these vessels in the first century C.E. indicates that purity laws were more strictly observed at this time than ever before. The Largest vessels shown here, measuring 2 to 3 feet tall, may be of a ritual type described in the gospel account of the marriage at Cana. John 2:6In the decades before the Roman destruction of Jerusalemיְרוּשָׁלַם‎Transliteration: yᵊrûšālam – Pronunciation: yer-oo-shaw-lah’-im – proper locative noun meaning “teaching of peace” or possession of peace – also called the city of David and Zion – the chief city of Palestine and capital of the united kingdom and the nation of Judah after the split For more info click here and it’s Temple in 70 C.E., Jews gave a new and heightened emphasis to ritual purity. In fact, purity laws may have been interpreted more strictly at this time than at any point before-or since. A very early rabbinic text says simply, “Purity broke out among IsraelיִשְׂרָאֵלTransliteration:yiśrā’ēl The name Israel (Septuagint Ancient Greek: Ἰσραήλ, Israēl, “El (God) persists/rules” or “God prevails”) refers to the patriarch Jacob who, according to the Hebrew Bible, was given the name after he successfully wrestled with the Angel of the Lord. The earliest known archaeological artifact to mention the word Israel as a collective is the Merneptah Stele of ancient Egypt (dated to the late-13th century BCE) for more info click here ” As early as this text is, however, it postdates the destruction of the Temple by about a hundred years. so it is fair to ask, How reliable is it?Until Recently this question plagued historians of the era, called the late Second Temple period, which extended from the first century B.C.E. until the Roman destruction in 70 C.E.: To what extent could they rely on rabbinic texts dating hundreds of years after the events they described? Not at all, some prominent scholars instituted.But the discovery of the Dead Sea Scrolls has changed this understanding. The Scrolls make it clear that in in the period before the destruction of the Temple, ritual purity was so controversial and so important – at least in theory- that it created major divisions among the Jews of the time. On of the most famous Dead Sea Scrolls is MMTMMT stands for Miqsat Ma’ase Ha-Torah, which is often translated as “Some Torah Precepts”. for further details, see Yitzhak Magen, “the Stone Vessel Industry During the Second Temple Period,” in ” Purity broke Out In Israel’ (Tractate Shabbat, 13 b)-Stone Vessels in the Late Second Temple Period which list a series of religious laws called halakhot; singular, halakhah over which the Dead Sea Scroll sect (perhaps the Essenes The Essenes were a Jewish sect that emerged in Judea during the Hasmonean period around the mid-second century BCE and persisted until the Roman destruction of the Second Temple in 70 CE, distinguished by their ascetic lifestyle, communal sharing of property, rejection of slavery, and rigorous commitment to ritual purity and moral discipline. Josephus portrays the Essenes as one of Judaism’s three principal philosophical schools alongside the Pharisees and Sadducees; he and Philo of Alexandria estimate their number at approximately four thousand For more info click here) disagreed with other Jews (probably the PhariseesפְּרוּשִׁיםPerushim; Greek: Φαρισαῖοι, Pharisaioi) were a prominent Jewish sect and philosophical school during the Second Temple period, active from roughly the mid-second century BCE until the destruction of the Temple in 70 CE, characterized by their rigorous interpretation of the Mosaic Law through an oral tradition believed to have been transmitted alongside the written Torah, and their advocacy for doctrines including the resurrection of the dead, angelic intervention, and a balance between divine providence and human free will. – From Gronkipedia) whose allegiance was to the Temple priesthood. For each law MMTMMT stands for Miqsat Ma’ase Ha-Torah, which is often translated as “Some Torah Precepts”. for further details, see Yitzhak Magen, “the Stone Vessel Industry During the Second Temple Period,” in ” Purity broke Out In Israel’ (Tractate Shabbat, 13 b)-Stone Vessels in the Late Second Temple Period presents the views of the scroll community and then the opposition’s stance, in this format: We, the Dead Sea Scroll sect, believe this; and our opposition believes that. In this way, MMTMMT stands for Miqsat Ma’ase Ha-Torah, which is often translated as “Some Torah Precepts”. for further details, see Yitzhak Magen, “the Stone Vessel Industry During the Second Temple Period,” in ” Purity broke Out In Israel’ (Tractate Shabbat, 13 b)-Stone Vessels in the Late Second Temple Period preserves the Halakhahהֲלָכָה‎Transliteration: halāḵāh lit. “the way” or “path” is the comprehensive system of Jewish religious law that governs observance, ethics, rituals, and interpersonal conduct for adherents of traditional Judaism. Derived from the 613 commandments (mitzvot) enumerated in the Written Torah—primarily the Five Books of Moses—and expanded through the Oral Torah’s interpretive traditions, it forms the normative

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The Miracle Of Birth

From When A Jew Celebrates The Talmud teaches: Many coins are stamped from the same mold, and every coin is exactly the same. But Elohimאֱלֹהִיםromanized: ʾĔlōhīm: [(ʔ)eloˈ(h)im]), the plural of אֱלוֹהַּ‎ (ʾĔlōah), is a Hebrew word meaning “gods”. Although the word is plural, in the Hebrew Bible it most often takes singular verbal or pronominal agreement and refers to a single deity particularly the God of Israel In other verses it refers to the singular gods of other nations or to deities in the plural A name for GOD — God The Creator. For more info click here has stamped many people from the same mold ( the mold of Eveחַוָּה(/ˈiːv/; Modern: Ḥava “living one” or “source of life” as it is phonetically similar to “ḥāyâ”, “to live”, from the Semitic root ḥyw. For more info click here And Adamאָדָם‎Transliteration: ‘āḏām Pronunciation: aw-dam’ man, human beingman, mankind (much more frequently intended sense in OT) Adam, first man city in Jordan valley For more info click here), yet not one person is like another. Therefore, one must say, “for my sake was the world created’. The arrival of a new life is an awe-inspiring miracle that is worth celebrating, especially when it comes to children. While animals can also give birth, only human beings have an unparalleled ability to work hand-in-hand with a higher power to create new life. For Jewish families, this divine partnership is not just an individual choice, but a sacred obligation to maintain their faith and customs. The birth of a Jewish child is an exceptional moment, not only for the immediate family but for the whole community that shares in its joy. It marks the genesis of a new covenant between the Congregation of IsraelיִשְׂרָאֵלTransliteration: yiśrā’ēl The name Israel (Septuagint Ancient Greek: Ἰσραήλ, Israēl, “El (God) persists/rules” or “God prevails”) refers to the patriarch Jacob who, according to the Hebrew Bible, was given the name after he successfully wrestled with the Angel of the Lord. The earliest known archaeological artifact to mention the word Israel as a collective is the Merneptah Stele of ancient Egypt (dated to the late-13th century BCE) for more info click here and Elohimאֱלֹהִיםromanized: ʾĔlōhīm: [(ʔ)eloˈ(h)im]), the plural of אֱלוֹהַּ‎ (ʾĔlōah), is a Hebrew word meaning “gods”. Although the word is plural, in the Hebrew Bible it most often takes singular verbal or pronominal agreement and refers to a single deity particularly the God of Israel In other verses it refers to the singular gods of other nations or to deities in the plural A name for GOD — God The Creator. For more info click here, where this innocent being is entrusted to the community to cherish and support. The various rites and rituals surrounding this occasion, such as the naming of a girl or the circumcision of a boy, are celebrations of the miracle that is life. They are beautiful testaments to the unwavering bond between Elohimאֱלֹהִיםromanized: ʾĔlōhīm: [(ʔ)eloˈ(h)im]), the plural of אֱלוֹהַּ‎ (ʾĔlōah), is a Hebrew word meaning “gods”. Although the word is plural, in the Hebrew Bible it most often takes singular verbal or pronominal agreement and refers to a single deity particularly the God of Israel In other verses it refers to the singular gods of other nations or to deities in the plural A name for GOD — God The Creator. For more info click here and the Jewish people, a pledge to care and nurture each other under the divine guidance of Torahתּוֹרָה‎Tōrā,/ˈtɔːrə, ˈtoʊrə/; law, teaching, direction, instruction – The first five books of the Bible or also called “the books of Moses” comes from an archery term meaning to shoot.. In essence, the arrival of a child is a reminder of the limitless power of love, hope, and togetherness. It is a symbol of infinite possibilities and highlights the compact between humanity and the divine. All children are precious, but Jewish children embody something particularly sacred and serve as inspirations to hold on to the fragile beauty that is life. More on teachings Jewish children Historic Rituals for Welcoming Jewish Daughters

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Marriage
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The Wedding

A wedding celebration is considered a sacred time in Jewish culture, enriched with deep tradition and meaning. During the Torahתּוֹרָה‎Tōrā,/ˈtɔːrə, ˈtoʊrə/; law, teaching, direction, instruction – The first five books of the Bible or also called “the books of Moses” comes from an archery term meaning to shoot. reading, the groom is respectfully called up to the bimahבִּימָהA bimah is an elevated platform used as an orator’s podium. The term can refer to the raised area in a sanctuary. In Jewish synagogues, where it is used for Torah reading during services, the term used is bima or bena – For more info click here, surrounded by the wholehearted love and support of his community. This time-honored ceremony links us to our history and showcases our bright future brimming with joy and devotion. The bride is stunning in her white gown, symbolizing purity and optimism. Her veil is a representation of Rebekahרִבְקָה‎(/rɪˈbɛkə/) Meaning: Tied Up, Secured Also spelled Rebecca; Modern: Rīvqa, Tiberian: Rīḇqā, Greek: Ῥεβέκκα click here and the union we share as Jewish people. The sight of loved ones dressed in elegant attire conveys togetherness and a sense of pride in our collective heritage. We reflect on the magnificence and heritage of a traditional Jewish marriage and celebrate the devotion and amiability of the newlywed couple. We pray that their union is blessed with good health, joy, and tranquility, and they enjoy a fulfilling journey together.

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Water of Purifying

Water mixed with the ashes of the red hefer See also Purity in Second Temple Times, and Ablution

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Womens “Place”

Jewish Alternative in Love, Dating and Marriage by Pinchas StolperPage 77-78 98% of the first book of Genesis, is devoted to narratives describing the creation of the world, the beginnings of mankind, and mankind, and Abrahamאַבְרָהָם/ˈeɪbrəhæm, -həm/; ‎‎, Modern: ʾAvraham, As recounted in the Torah, his name was originally Avram which means “High Father” – “av” (אב) “father”, “ram” (רם) “high” – with the “ha” (ה) added in mark of his covenant with God. For more info click here, Isaacיִצְחָק(Yīṣḥāq) meaning “he will laugh”, reflecting the laughter, in disbelief, of Abraham and Sarah, when told by God that they would have a child.. Jacobיַעֲקֹב(/ˈdʒeɪkəb/; Modern: Yaʿaqōv (help·info), Tiberian: Yaʿăqōḇ; Arabic: يَعْقُوب, romanized: Yaʿqūb; Greek: Ἰακώβ, romanized: Iakṓb) the name Yaʿaqōv יעקב is derived from ʿaqev עָקֵב “heel”, as Jacob was born grasping the heel of his twin brother Esau. (later called Israel) for more info click here and the Tribes of IsraelיִשְׂרָאֵלTransliteration: yiśrā’ēl The name Israel (Septuagint Ancient Greek: Ἰσραήλ, Israēl, “El (God) persists/rules” or “God prevails”) refers to the patriarch Jacob who, according to the Hebrew Bible, was given the name after he successfully wrestled with the Angel of the Lord. The earliest known archaeological artifact to mention the word Israel as a collective is the Merneptah Stele of ancient Egypt (dated to the late-13th century BCE) for more info click here. The reason Genesis dwells on biography, personalities, events and not laws is to instruct us to pattern our own lives on their struggles, their challenges and solutions which they employed.Of course, were the Bible to have recorded the full biographies of Abrahamאַבְרָהָם/ˈeɪbrəhæm, -həm/; ‎‎, Modern: ʾAvraham, As recounted in the Torah, his name was originally Avram which means “High Father” – “av” (אב) “father”, “ram” (רם) “high” – with the “ha” (ה) added in mark of his covenant with God. For more info click here, Isaacיִצְחָק(Yīṣḥāq) meaning “he will laugh”, reflecting the laughter, in disbelief, of Abraham and Sarah, when told by God that they would have a child., Jacobיַעֲקֹב(/ˈdʒeɪkəb/; Modern: Yaʿaqōv (help·info), Tiberian: Yaʿăqōḇ; Arabic: يَعْقُوب, romanized: Yaʿqūb; Greek: Ἰακώβ, romanized: Iakṓb) the name Yaʿaqōv יעקב is derived from ʿaqev עָקֵב “heel”, as Jacob was born grasping the heel of his twin brother Esau. (later called Israel) for more info click here and their children, many volumes would have been required. Instead, the Bible selects very few incidents, because these specific events represent the special life situations which the Bible expects us to emulate. Let’s study a few examples relating to the “place” of women: When the Jewish people are enslaved and oppressed in Egyptמִצְרַיִם‎Transliteration:miṣrayim – Pronunciation: mits-rah’-yim adjective, proper locative noun – Egypt = “land of the Copts (a member of a people descended from the ancient Egyptians)” . For more info click here. The Talmud tells us that Amram, father of MosesמשהMeaning of the name: Linguist Abraham Yahuda, based on the spelling given in the Tanakh, argues that it combines “water” or “seed” and “pond, expanse of water,” thus yielding the sense of “child of the Nile” For more info click here, was the leader of that generation. When the Egyptians said that all male children be drowned, Amram decided that he could no longer bring children into the world. So, he separated from his wife and all the Jewish men followed his lead. At that point his daughter, MiriamמִרְיָםMīryām, lit. ‘Rebellion’) is described in the Hebrew Bible as the daughter of Amram and Jochebed and the older sister of Moses and Aaron. for more info click here, demanded “Father your decree is more cruel than Pharaoh’s. Pharaoh’s decree applies to male children alone, But yours applies to all children equally. Pharaoh’s decree may or may not persist but because you are a righteousצַדִּיק‎Transliteration ṣadîq Pronunciation tsad-deek’ To do what is right Tzadik is also the root of the word tzedakah (‘charity’, literally ‘righteousness’). justice, rightness, righteousness – For more info click here man your decree will persist,” Miriam’sמִרְיָםMīryām, lit. ‘Rebellion’) is described in the Hebrew Bible as the daughter of Amram and Jochebed and the older sister of Moses and Aaron. for more info click here insight convinced her father, he takes back his wife, and so do the others. As a result MosesמשהMeaning of the name: Linguist Abraham Yahuda, based on the spelling given in the Tanakh, argues that it combines “water” or “seed” and “pond, expanse of water,” thus yielding the sense of “child of the Nile” For more info click here is born and so begins the chain of events which result in the liberation and birn of the Jewish people. In the desert, the Jews worship a golden calf. The Talmud relates that only men were involved in this crime while the women refused to participate. When AaronאַהֲרוֹןAaron is an English masculine given name. The ‘h’ phoneme in the original Hebrew pronunciation “Aharon” (אהרן) is dropped in the Greek, Ἀαρών, from which the English form, Aaron, is derived. The brother of Moses, is described in the Torah, the Quran and the Baha’i Iqan. The origin of the biblical name is uncertain; however, an Ancient Egyptian origin may indicate “aha rw” meaning “warrior lion”, For more info click here the High Priest solicited gold to construct the golden calf, the Torahתּוֹרָה‎Tōrā,/ˈtɔːrə, ˈtoʊrə/; “Instruction”, “Teaching” or “Law”) The first five books of the Bible or also called “the books of Moses” comes from an archery term meaning to shoot. informs us that the wives refused to part with their jewelry. The women, however, didn’t simply refused to surrender their jewelry because the love of jewelry – because later on when the time came to build the Holyקָדְשׁוֹ‎Transliteration qōḏeš Pronunciation ko’-desh a sacred place or thing; rarely abstract, sanctity:—consecrated (thing), dedicated (thing), hallowed (thing), holiness, (× most) holy (× day, portion, thing), saint, sanctuary. For more info click here TabernacleמִשְׁכָּןTransliteration: miškān dwelling place, tent, shelter, tabernacle, booth For more info click here, we are told that the women were very generous in their contributions of gold. Later on, while the Jewish

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