Exploring Jewish Tradition: A Transliterated Guide to Everyday Practice and Observance

If you want to introduce Jewish traditions into your home, would like to learn about the Jewish faith of your neighbor, plan to host a traditional seder, or are just curious about a term or ritual, Exploring Jewish Tradition addresses all your needs. This thorough review of Judaism as it has been practiced by Jewish men, women, and children for thousands of years provides concise directions for observing traditions, captioned illustrations that illuminate and enhance the text, and overall guidance about how to live a Jewish life. Organized into ten chapters, hundreds of transliterated terms are linked together in a friendly narrative that leads the readers step-by-step through the vocabulary and concepts of Jewish tradition. The text includes chapters on the interpretation and significance of the word "Torah," the foundation of all Jewish knowledge; the synagogue and its artifacts; prayer and Jewish liturgy; the Jewish (lunar/solar) calendar; the Sabbath; the high holy days; the pilgrimage festivals; the minor festivals; the Jewish life cycle; and special words and phrases that are used in everyday Jewish life. Exploring Jewish Tradition is a guidebook not only for the traditional Jew but for the uncertain newcomer, the inquisitive non-Jew, or anyone else who has ever wondered about the difference between Torah and Talmud, Kiddush and Kaddish, Shabbat and Shevat, or mezuzah and mazal.