Talmud

separation of milk and meat, what meat is permitted to be consumed, how food can be prepared and a plethora of other detailed guidelines. In particular, the slaughtering of animals stands out among all other restrictions as imperative in kashrut. The Talmud explicitly states, “The Holy One, Blessed Be He, said ‘Since you are merciful to the flock of a human being, you shall be the shepherd of My flock, Israel.” This is referring to the mission of Moses to protect the animals of Israel, since he…

"The needs of the many outweigh the needs of the few." Most people have heard the popular Star Trek quote before, either by watching 'The Wrath of Khan,' or by reading the subsequent discussions about ethics that originated from it. The quote is implicitly referring to utilitarianism, the ethical theory that states that the most ethical action is the one that leads to the highest amount of happiness and human flourishing. Utilitarianism is usually portrayed in a bad light in fictional media: the…

In his article, he cites the most important foundations as “socialism, labor, Westernism and democracy” among others. Due to the plight of the Jewish people dating back to Biblical times, there was a driving force towards “social justice and equality” through socialism. The early Jewish nation also had a strong work ethic and placed a high value on labor. The author weaves these two particular foundations of Jewish culture together in the explanation of the “kibbutz.” The kibbutz is…

truly lost because of the events that he is forced to endure during the time of the Holocaust. In the Night, we are introduced to a young Jewish man named Eliezer Wiesel who lived in a small town in Transylvania called Sighet. He would study the Talmud and really lived only for God. He grew up believing in the goodness and power of God. Elie wanted his father to help him study Kabbalah. His dad felt that he was too young to study that mysticism and would not teach him. Eventually a man named…

Madmen and prophets have been, for quite long, the source of contention in literary circles. The relationship between madness and prophecy in literature is somewhat difficult to tackle as both concepts are connected to a more mystical world that can give shape and meaning to human existence and truth about life. During the twentieth century, immediately after the Holocaust, people began more readily questioning the existence of a supreme Deity and His lack of divine intervention in such a…

Moses is undoubtedly one of the most important scriptural figures in Judaism, and his influence has been felt through every generation of the religion. In fact, Moses’ prophetic narrative and heroic actions were so far-reaching that they transcended his own era and established Jewish traditions that are carried on this day. According to tradition, Moses received both written instruction from God in the form of the Ten Commandments and oral teachings from God at Mount Sinai and Mount Horeb.…

To Kill a Mockingbird and The Chosen are at first glance, as different as can be. The two books may have totally different settings and plots. However, if you look deeper, they begin to look more alike. They both deal with similar things, such as coming of age, the relationship between father and child, and just different themes of life. They also both utilize certain literary devices to get their points across. It is because of all of these things, that both To Kill a Mockingbird and The Chosen…

Change is inevitable, just as life experiences are uncontrollable. The person you become to be depends on parents, environment, and values. Knowing yourself is essential, but change is inevitable. Night by Elie Wiesel is a historical personal narrative that brings the reader through Elie own personal experiences of Holocaust in 1933. Before Eliezer was a quiet, observant and respectful young boy, but this had all changed once him and his family were forced into the concentration camps.…

Elie Wiesel was born September 30th, 1928 in Sighet, a town in modern day Romania. He was born to a jewish hasidic family and spoke Yiddish in their home. Elie had three sisters, Hilda, Beatrice, and Tzipora. Elie studied both Talmud teachings and Kabbalah in his childhood. In 1940, when Elie was fifteen, his whole family was deported to Auschwitz-Birkenau. He and his father managed to stay together through the “selection” period. In line to the selection of either work or cremation in the camp…

The major religions of Judaism, Hinduism, Buddhism, Christianity, and Islam developed practices and beliefs that have been passed down and carried on throughout thousands of years. Working and evolving together, these religions have developed our world into a more varying and divergent place. Many of these religions have much in common, but several do not, and because of that, people can choose a religion that best fits who they are or who they want to be. Born the son of a respected family,…