The New Testament is seen as the Christian part of the Bible, while the Old Testament is shared by Judaism and Christianity. This could suggest that the prophecy of the Messiah in the Old Testament is only partially relevant to Christians: After all, Jesus’ life, teachings, and death are Christianity’s origin. However, a comparison of …
Among the oldest languages in the world, Hebrew is a native language to the Israelites and Judeans, spoken in Israel and across the world in Jewish diaspora groups. Hebrew is the language of the Torah and Tanakh, and is an ancient language. Many words in Hebrew are difficult to translate into modern language because of …
Torah is commonly translated as “law” and is the Hebrew name for the Greek Pentateuch. Both names refer to the Old Testament books Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, and Deuteronomy. However, it turns out that “law” as the meaning of Torah in Hebrew might not be the only, or even the best, translation; furthermore, the word Torah can also refer to the entire body of Hebrew …
Most people in the Western world are familiar with the Bible. Often times, people have read or at least heard stories from the Bible. But how can you really understand the Bible? Learning how to really understand the Bible is something that anyone, Christian, Jewish, or otherwise, can do. The Hebrew Bible Another name you’ll …
What do Jews, the Pilgrims of the Mayflower, and the fourth Thursday of each November in the United States have in common? Quite a lot, in fact. But, many still ask “Do Jewish people celebrate Thanksgiving?” In order to understand the condition of American Jewry, one must understand the crucial role Judaism played in the …
By the time you consider religious law, rabbinic orders, sectarian recommendations, and community and family preferences – the list of Jewish traditions is overwhelming. Furthermore, the traditions of many Jewish groups were impacted by the culture in which they assimilated during the Diaspora. (The Diaspora is the distribution of Jewish people throughout the world – …
As in all religious traditions, the Bar/Bat Mitzvah is a very important part of a Jewish male’s/female’s life. While thinking of Bar Mitzvah vs. Bat Mitzvah, we must note that these words regard an age, not an event. Someone achieves it by becoming 13. All Jewish people are required to study the Torah during their …
Many will hear the question “what is the best way to read the Bible,” with confusion. Why does it require anything other than flipping pages and taking in words? Those that believe know the truth, though: within the pages of the Bible lie mysteries so great and commandments for every nuance of life. What most …
The history of Hebrew literature spans across the record of human civilization, with archaeological evidence dating its origins back to the 12th century BCE. When Hebrew became the state language of the State of Israel in 1948, it propelled a strengthening global movement around Hebrew literature, its ancient teachings, and progressive concepts. Today, Hebrew Book …
‘Orthodox’ is taken from the Greek word orthos meaning “straight or correct” and secondly doxa meaning opinion, and thus we may say that Orthodox Judaism follows a strict set of rules as interpreted from the Talmud and other rabbinical traditions. It should be noted that another term, Torah Judaism, is how many Orthodox followers prefer …
In Judaism, practices and rituals enrich a millenary culture. Through following its customs, those of the Jewish faith and culture can continue carrying on customs that have been practiced for generations. This helps to establish a connection with our ancestors, blending the rituals of today with those of the past and reminding the Jewish people …
The key to understanding and mastering the traditional Passover greeting begins with grasping the historical and spiritual meaning behind the celebration. Over three thousand years ago, the Lord delivered His people, the Israelites, from captivity under the Egyptians. The Lord sent the ten plagues upon the Egyptians to force Pharaoh to free them but spared …
The divorce rate these days has climbed to 50 percent or higher depending on what statics you believe; the chances of staying married are soon to have worse odds than those of winning the lottery. Yet, many whose roots are deep in the Bible and still follow the words transcribed there are some of the …
As Spring approaches, every store reminds of us Easter is right around the corner with bright displays featuring bunnies and chicks down abundant candy aisles. Christians around the world start a series of holy days and weeks to commemorate the death and resurrection of Christ, extending past the secular Holiday of Easter Sunday. For those …
Each day, across all walks of life, the Word is received for the first time. Its complex text may make one question how to begin studying the Bible. The Holy Bible is the most widely read and distributed text in circulation and has fundamentally shaped the course of Western civilization. Embarking on a spiritual journey …
The Jewish religion is referred to as Judaism and is known to be one of the world’s oldest monotheistic religion. Monotheistic religions belief systems are based on the idea of a single God that is all-powerful and not in need of helpmates such as the Trinity of some Christian faiths, or polytheism, where multiple gods …
While Judaism accepts certain authors by tradition, scholars still ask: Who wrote the Hebrew Scriptures? They are not trying to sabotage Judaism—in fact, there is a good reason to ask this question, and the answers potentially enrich, rather than depreciate, the Jewish faith. The question has historical, anthropological, philosophical, and theological implications. Furthermore, because of …
Chances are, you’ve heard of at least one of these three languages. Hebrew and Aramaic are languages of the Bible. All three languages are spoken, in one form or another, by modern groups of people. But what ties them all together? What do they have in common? What is different about them? These three fascinating …
Similarity and closeness have an ironic way of creating division and distance. There is almost no better example than conflicts between people of faith – whether within a church, a sect, a religion, or a group of religions with a common origin. It is more important than ever to understand the similarities and differences between …
Hebrew is not just for Bible or Jewish studies scholars. It turns out the letters of the Hebrew alphabet actually have much to say about the patterns that govern creation—both natural and human. The Hebrew alphabet meanings, symbols are relevant to Christians, too, as they represent and refine the understanding of God, the cosmos, and …
This article takes the reader through the evolution of Greek as a language over time. The history of Ancient Greek, English translation approaches to the Bible, and the best courses online in Biblical Greek are all covered in what follows. The reader’s appetite is whetted on how to learn the language with the help of …
Hebrew is not a commonly taught language in schools around the world—most people view it as an ancient religious language. However, modern Israel has excellent universities and businesses; and is making strides in sustainability, medical technology, finance, and computer science. Israel has produced incredible writers, musicians, and film artists, too. So, what language do they …
Two similar languages share the stage as one of the oldest languages ever spoken. Enjoying the spotlight throughout ancient history, these languages have become invaluable to anyone who understands their importance. However, many misperceptions have sprung up along the way, hence the importance of knowing the difference between Aramaic and Hebrew. Clarifications in all areas …
Hebrew is more than just a language. We can hardly explain the phenomenon. As the Biblical Language, Hebrew ingrains deeply in everyone, a religious and cultural foundation in its speakers first before the more technological and artistic side. What is the Hebrew Language’s intrinsic value to you as a person? Its survival of a 2000-year …
The ancient Hebrews occupied the area known in antiquity as Palestine. They were people with a very rich culture and way of life. A lot of the peoples of the world have changed due to the passage of time, and of course the advent of modern civilization. This article is an attempt to take a …
Hebrew culture has a long history of change. However, the diversity that exists in Hebrew culture today is not routinely considered. Hebrew people are often known to non-Hebrews by the culture of the dominant sects of Judaism that exist in their home regions. By examining Biblical Hebrew vs. modern Hebrew culture and religion, and observing …
Hebrew is one of the official languages of the State of Isreal; it is also cited as Israeli Hebrew, (modern Hebrew), and considered the “mother tongue” of the Jewish people. Hebrew is one of the oldest languages in the world and the only language that was once considered a dead language, to become revived. The …
The Hebrew language, simply put is a Semitic Script of 22 letters which read from right to left. But what are the origins of the Hebrew language? Was it the first language man ever spoke? How could such an important language almost become lost forever? These are questions we are going to answer while diving …
Over the course of human civilization, religion has been practically ever-present. Cultures spanning the globe and the ages have almost all had some form of religious or spiritual beliefs. Of all the world’s religions, perhaps two of the most closely connected are Judaism and Christianity. In this article, we will take a look at Jewish …
For centuries, people have debated the differences between the Jewish and Christian faiths. But, there are many similarities between the two, as well. There are so many similarities that there are even intersections between the two faiths, having elements of both Judaism and Christianity. So, for the purpose of this writing, “Jewish Beliefs vs. Christian …
The Jewish religion has undergone theological shifts due to culture clash and contrasting cultures, and modern Judaism has come a long way from pre-Mosaic Judaism. From the thirteen principles that Judaism encompasses within its beliefs to the many splits and sub-categories within the Jewish religion, it remains a rich and beautiful religion even within the …
If you have ever read the Bible, you’ve most likely read it in your native tongue. The Bible has been translated in full into almost 700 languages and portions of the Bible have been translated into thousands more. But what is the original language of the Bible? Ancient Biblical Texts The Bible was not written …
Hebrew language and history are intertwined. To learn about one, you must also take the other into consideration. Without the history of Hebrew people, the history of the Hebrew language and its origins loses a lot of its meaning and becomes confusing. But, when you study them together, you’re left with a vivid and inspiring …
The majority of Christians read the Bible as inspiring spiritual text without too much consideration of the more academic side of biblical interpretation. Thorough Bible readers are at the mercy of textual notes to get whatever benefit is possible from a more academic approach. However, paying more attention to the figurative language in the Bible …
As the Bible we know today comes in several different languages, one common question tends to cross people’s minds from time to time. People often wonder in what language was the Old Testament written. To fully understand and appreciate the present diversity we see in terms of languages the Bible is written in, there’s a …
In his book, Darwin’s Dangerous Idea, Daniel Dennett maintains that the Copernican Revolution has become an intellectual accessory of every child today, and expresses his hope that in the future Darwin’s conception will share the same condition. The Copernican theory – especially in the context of Galileo’s scientific approach – was as threatening for the …
Before discussing the types of research methodologies, let’s first take a look at the definition of research methodology itself, just to get an idea of what it is all about. Research methodology is the process of collecting information and data with one goal in mind: it is to be able to make general decisions in …