Daily political events and the steady inevitability of globalism require that informed students and citizens learn something about religious traditions foreign to their own. Designed for both classroom and general use, these handy Key Words guidebooks are essential resources for those who want clear and concise explanations of common terms and unfamiliar concepts of major world religions.
Each pocket-sized volume contains definitions for over 400 terms from religious principles and significant periods to noteworthy figures.
A quick sampling of terms from this volume:
Berit
Emunah
Haroset
Kaddish
Mezzuzah
Rosh Hashanah
Shabat
Yeshiva
Zionism
Sample Definitions:
Emunah Lit. Faith. The foundation of the Jewish tradition, it essentially refers to trust in God and reliance on Him to guide the people perfectly. If a person trusts completely in God, everything else will fall into place.
Yeshiva/Yeshivah A college for the study of Torah and Talmud. Although Jewish males had always engaged in study of the Torah under the guidance of their Rabbis, in the nineteenth century, organized colleges appeared in eastern Europe which allowed progression through the various stages of study. Secular study was not permitted and some students spent a lifetime in study of Torah, Talmud and Halakhah (see Torah, Talmud, Halakhah).
Reviews
"A necessary and valuable contribution to religious studies and the study of religions that teachers, and especially students, in higher education institutions will very much welcome."—Teaching Theology & Religion
Awards
Chosen as a 2007 Outstanding Title for Public and Secondary School Libraries by the American Association of School Librarians
About the Author
Ron Geaves is professor of the comparative study of religion at Liverpool Hope University in England.
