Marriage

Author(s): Natubhai Shah
Publisher: UK Jain Academy

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Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers and Deuteronomy) which contain God's revelation to Moses and include commandments on ethics, spirituality, dietary regulations, community and social life. The Nevi'im consists of the books of the prophets such as Isaiah, Jeremiah, and the related historical book of Joshua, Judges and Kings. The ketuvim are the remaining Biblical books, which contain works such as the Psalms, the Song of Songs, and the books of Ruth and Esther.
The Tanakh is complemented by the Talmud, which contains the Mishnah, the summary of religious and civil law, and the Gemara, the commentary and discourses on the Mishnah. Other important sciptures are the Midrash, the rabbinic interpretation of the texts, and includes moral teachings, legends and parables from a variety of great rabbis; and Halacha (Jewish law), the life of the Jewish community, the interpretation of Jewish law and its practice.
Worship
Judaism emphasises service and prayer to God; the purpose of creation is the service of God and living a life of righteousness. Traditionally, Jews pray three times a day, evening, morning and noon. Jewish prayers are petitional and devotional, may be individual or collective. Prayer requires conscious understanding the words uttered, careful utterance, humility and directing one's heart to God. Congregational prayer is usually undertaken in synagogues on the Sabbath and at festivals, and includes reading passages from the Torah. 'Shema' (Hear!) is a daily prayer composed of three passages in the Torah, containing the basic affirmations of the Jewish faith.
The Shabbat (Sabbath) is central to the rhythm of Jewish individual, family and communal life. It is observed as a day of worship, rest and peace on Saturday, the seventh day, as this is believed to be the day on which God rested after creating the earth in six days. It begins half an hour before sunset on Friday evening and ends at nightfall on Saturday. During the Shabbat Jews are forbidden to engage in any activities which are considered as work. The Shabbat concludes with Havdalah, a ceremony, separating it from the working week.
The Sabbath is part of the deal between God and the Jewish People, so celebrating it is a reminder of the Covenant and an occasion to rejoice in God's kept promises.
Most Jewish people look forward to Shabbat all week. They see it as God's gift to his chosen people of a day when they take time out from everyday things to feel special. It is a time with no television, no rushing to the demands of the telephone or a busy work schedule. People don't think about work or other stressful things. It's an oasis of calm, a time of stillness in life. The traditional Sabbath greetings are Shabbat Shalom (Hebrew), or Gut Shabbos (Yiddish).
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