The biblical and historical background of Jewish customs and ceremonies

The Jewish historical-and Social experience, extending over five millennia from biblical times to modern days, has been the source and stimulus for a wide range of fascinating customs and practices. Many of these customs derive directly from the Bible, others from postbiblical events and experiences in many different countries and periods. All are a testimonial to the creativity of the Jewish spirit and to the ongoing Jewish commitment to relive, the key incidents of Jewish history and eternally vivify the Jewish religion faith.

In this volume, a companion to the same author's The Biblical and Historical Background of the Jewish Holy Days, the reader is provided with an in-depth analysis of customs and practices associated with all aspects of the Jewish life-cycle, with the holy days of the Jewish religious calendar, and with major tendencies in the Jewish World-outlook, such as the effort to memorialize the giving of the Torah, the destruction of the Temple, and other important past events.

Each custom is examined both in its original form and through the various phases of its evolution in order to demonstrate its purpose and function in Jewish life: In many cases, it is revealed, the popular folkloristic under-standing of a custom is an erroneous later accretion. Always, though, it is shown how Jewish customs and practices are crucial elements of a lively and living religious consciousness.