In this original and sweeping review of Jewish culture and history; Ivan Marcus examines how and why various rites and customs celebrating stages in the life cycle have evolved through the ages and persisted to this day. For each phase of life--from childhood and adolescence to adulthood and the advanced years―the book traces the origin and development of specific rites associated with the events of birth; circumcision; and schooling; bar and bat mitzvah and confirmation; engagement; betrothal; and marriage; and aging; dying; and remembering. Customs in Jewish tradition; such as the presence of godparents at a circumcision; the use of a four-poled canopy at a wedding; and the placing of small stones on tombstones; are discussed. In each chapter; detailed descriptions walk the reader through such ceremonies as early modern and contemporary circumcision; weddings; and funerals.In a comparative framework; Marcus illustrates how Jewish culture has negotiated with the majority cultures of the ancient Near East; Greco-Roman antiquity; medieval European Christianity; and Mediterranean Islam; as well as with modern secular and religious movements and social trends; to renew itself through ritual innovation.In his extensive research on the Jewish life cycle; Marcus draws from documents on various customs and ritual practices; offering reassessments of original sources and scholarly literature.Marcus’s survey is the first comprehensive study of the rites of the Jewish life cycle since Hayyim Schauss's The Lifetime of the Jew was published in 1950; written for Jewish readers. Marcus’s book addresses a broader audience and is designed to appeal to scholars and interested readers.
#2935887 in Books 1984-11Ingredients: Example IngredientsOriginal language:EnglishPDF # 1 9.25 x 6.25 x 1.00l; #File Name: 02927902522 pages
Review
0 of 0 people found the following review helpful. Very good History Lesson about the border and our Military's first aircraft.By Billy HoglanVery interesting. Feds were securing the border almost 100 years ago for almost 30 years. With the first aircraft. From Brownsville to Arizona. Now history repeats its self and the Feds are doing nothing!2 of 2 people found the following review helpful. Wings Over The Mexican BorderBy william h. baldwinWhile this is an interesting sidebar to that era shortly after the Mexican Revolution of l910 and prior to WWII; it is a somewhat overcooked tale centering around a remote airstrip in what is now the Big Bend National Park. I interviewed some of the cowboys that worked in that area and in fact talked with one that worked for Elmo Johnson. The tales they had to tell about life there was just fascinating. If the author had put a little more of that in the book in contrast to constantly citing airplanes that come and go...that we never see it would have been much more interesting. I'm not trashing the book; its just that it got difficult to read. At times you wanted to be right there with them because between the lines you can tell what's going on but then at times you are mired in stuff that doesn't paint any picture for anybody.0 of 0 people found the following review helpful. Very interesting review of the Johnson Ranch "Army Aux. ...By Francis E. MartinVery interesting review of the Johnson Ranch "Army Aux. Airfield" in the Big Bend.Just getting to know the Johnsons made the book additionally worthwhile.
