
The Impact of Culture and Cultures Upon Jewish Customs and Rituals
Collected Essays
Simcha Fishbane(Author)
Academic Studies Press
Published on 3. March 2016
Book
Hardback
276 pages
978-1-61811-491-4 (ISBN)
Description
This book discusses the development of practices associated with customs and artifacts used in Jewish ceremonies when viewed from the vantage of anthropological studies. It can also function as a guide to practical halakhah. The author examines topics such as Torah Scrolls, ceremonial use of fire, Purim customs, the festival of Shavuot, magic and superstition.
This investigation, at times, compares some Jewish observances with the wider cultural observances or notions of the broader, gentile societies in which Jews were located when these customs originated. It is found that the time and location of a practice's origin is often critical to appreciating a shared context. In all cases the Jewish practice becomes reinterpreted within a specifically Jewish narrative and legal structure.
This investigation, at times, compares some Jewish observances with the wider cultural observances or notions of the broader, gentile societies in which Jews were located when these customs originated. It is found that the time and location of a practice's origin is often critical to appreciating a shared context. In all cases the Jewish practice becomes reinterpreted within a specifically Jewish narrative and legal structure.
More details
Series
Language
English
Place of publication
Brighton
United States
Product notice
Laminated cover
Illustrations
Illustrations
Dimensions
Height: 240 mm
Width: 161 mm
Thickness: 20 mm
Weight
587 gr
ISBN-13
978-1-61811-491-4 (9781618114914)
Copyright in bibliographic data and cover images is held by Nielsen Book Services Limited or by the publishers or by their respective licensors: all rights reserved.
Schweitzer Classification
Person
Simcha Fishbane (PhD, Social Anthropology of Religion, Concordia University, Montreal, Canada 1988) is Professor of Jewish Studies in the Graduate School of Jewish Studies at Touro College. He has published extensively on Jewish subjects and texts. His publications include The Method and Meaning of the Mishnah Berurah (1991) and The Shtiebelization of Modern Jewry (2011).
Content
Preface and Acknowledgments Introduction
Fire Symbolism in Jewish Law and Ritual
Behind the Purim Mask: The Symbolic Representation of the Rituals and Customs of Purim
In the Absence of Ritual: Customs of the Holiday of Shavuot
Holy and Licit Magic and Halakhah: The Case of the Arukh HaShulhan
The Symbolic Representation of the Sefer Torah
Index
Fire Symbolism in Jewish Law and Ritual
Behind the Purim Mask: The Symbolic Representation of the Rituals and Customs of Purim
In the Absence of Ritual: Customs of the Holiday of Shavuot
Holy and Licit Magic and Halakhah: The Case of the Arukh HaShulhan
The Symbolic Representation of the Sefer Torah
Index