The spiritual life: prayer, meditation, torah.

Holiness: Jews are commanded to be Holy in all they do...it's about how they do what they do. Prayer is both individual and private the Liturgy is the form, structure and content of a service. The Lectionary is the system of readings from Torah and the rest of the bible during the Liturgy. The "Shema" is the paragraphs from Deuteronomy that affirm the uniqueness of God, and the duty to love God and obey the Commandments. fixing of mezuzah to doorpost in Jewish homes. (contains text that contains shema within) most universal, accessible, distinctive form of Jewish spirituality is Torah study. Idea of obedience and divine command still accepted on the whole by all Jews. Mitsvah: term for Judaism as a divine command. Halakhah: notional body of rules....like the law. (contains 613 misvot...248 positive injunctions( mitzvah), 365 prohibitions(averah)...or transgressions.) Jewish religion can be seen as that which transends ordinary life, but a communal behaviour rooted in shared knowledge of underlying realities. The legislation that codifies the behaviour provides a communal framework so individuals can make own personal response to God, Israel and the world. Jewish texts more likely to discuss and debate rather than declare or decree. Right takes priority over rite. Favours value of deeds that the Torah cannot require but must favour. Halakhah addresses all....not just Jews.

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