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Essence of World Religions
study; and the recital of many blessings, especially before and after meals. The Sabbath and festivals are observed both in the home and in the Synagogue, a unique institution for prayer and instruction that became the model for the church in Christianity and for the mosque in Islam. The Sabbath, from sunset Friday to sunset Saturday, is the day of rest which is a unique gift of God. It is observed by refraining from work, by attending a synagogue service, and by special food. Friday evening is marked in the home by the lighting of a lamp or candles by the woman of the household, the recital of the Kiddish (a ceremonial blessing affirming the sanctity of the day) over a cup of wine, and the blessing of children by parents. The end of the Sabbath is marked by parallel ceremonies called Havdalah. Similar home ceremonies occur on the other festivals. The holidays prescribed in the Torah are the two "days of awe," Rosh Hashanah (New Year) and Yom Kippur (Day of Atonement), and three joyous festivals; Passover, Shavuoth (Feast of Weeks), and the Feast of Tabernacles. Later additions are the festive occasions of Chanukah and Purim, and the fast of the Ninth of Av (Tishah be Av), commemorating the destruction of the Temple. Later on according to many biblical scholars, some elements of the Persian religion were incorporated into Judaism: a more elaborate doctrine of Angels; the figure of Satan; and a system of beliefs concerning the end of time, including a predetermined scheme of world history, a final judgment, and the Resurrection of the dead. These ideas were expounded in many visionary documents called Apocalypses; none of them were included in the Hebrew Bible except in the Book of Daniel.
Beliefs In the One God and Creator who is incorporeal and transcendent, beyond the limitation of form yet who cares for the world and its creatures, rewarding the good and punishing the evil. One God is referred to as the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. In the Prophets of which Moses was God's foremost, and the Ten Commandments revealed to him by God on Mount Sinai as man's highest law. No priest should intervene in the relationship of man and God, nor
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