purgatory. In classical (Roman *Catholic) Christian thought, an intermediate state after death where one can finish satisfying the temporal punishments for one's sins and purify one's soul before being admitted to heaven. purgatory. In classical (Roman *Catholic) Christian thought, an intermediate state after death where one can finish satisfying the temporal punishments for one's sins and purify one's soul before being admitted to heaven.
Qumran or Khirbet Qumran. The site near the northwest corner of the Dead Sea in Modern Israel (west bank) where the main bulk of the Jewish *? Dead Sea Scrolls? were discovered around 1946. The Qumran comminity that apparently produced the scrolls seems to have flourished from the 3rd century BCE to the 1st century CE, and is usuallyu identified with the Jewish *Essenes, or a group like them.Qumran or Khirbet Qumran. The site near the northwest corner of the Dead Sea in Modern Israel (west bank) where the main bulk of the Jewish *? Dead Sea Scrolls? were discovered around 1946. The Qumran comminity that apparently produced the scrolls seems to have flourished from the 3rd century BCE to the 1st century CE, and is usuallyu identified with the Jewish *Essenes, or a group like them.
rabbi (adj. rabbinic). Hebrew, "my master," an authorized teacher of the *classical Jewish tradition (see *oral law) after the fall of the second *Temple in 70 CE. The role of the rabbi has changed considerably throughout the centuries. Traditionally, rabbis serve as the legal and spiritual guides of their congregations and communities. The title is conferred after considerable study of traditional Jewish sources. This conferral and its responsibilities is central to the chain of tradition in Judaism.rabbi (adj. rabbinic). Hebrew, "my master," an authorized teacher of the *classical Jewish tradition (see *oral law) after the fall of the second *Temple in 70 CE. The role of the rabbi has changed considerably throughout the centuries. Traditionally, rabbis serve as the legal and spiritual guides of their congregations and communities. The title is conferred after considerable study of traditional Jewish sources. This conferral and its responsibilities is central to the chain of tradition in Judaism.rabbi (adj. rabbinic). Hebrew, "my master," an authorized teacher of the *classical Jewish tradition (see *oral law) after the fall of the second *Temple in 70 CE. The role of the rabbi has changed considerably throughout the centuries. Traditionally, rabbis serve as the legal and spiritual guides of their congregations and communities. The title is conferred after considerable study of traditional Jewish sources. This conferral and its responsibilities is central to the chain of tradition in Judaism.rabbi (adj. rabbinic). Hebrew, "my master," an authorized teacher of the *classical Jewish tradition (see *oral law) after the fall of the second *Temple in 70 CE. The role of the rabbi has changed considerably throughout the centuries. Traditionally, rabbis serve as the legal and spiritual guides of their congregations and communities. The title is conferred after considerable study of traditional Jewish sources. This conferral and its responsibilities is central to the chain of tradition in Judaism.
redactor. An editor, especially with reference to ancient books such as the Jewish and Christian *******ures.redactor. An editor, especially with reference to ancient books such as the Jewish and Christian *******ures.
relics. In popular Christian religiousity, objects or parts of the body (e.g., clothing, teeth, bones) left behind after the decay of the corpse, which are venerated for saints of the Roman *Catholic and Eastern *churches.relics. In popular Christian religiousity, objects or parts of the body (e.g., clothing, teeth, bones) left behind after the decay of the corpse, which are venerated for saints of the Roman *Catholic and Eastern *churches.
resurrection. The idea that dead persons who have found favor with the deity will ultimately (in *eschatological times) be raised from the dead, with restored bodily form.resurrection. The idea that dead persons who have found favor with the deity will ultimately (in *eschatological times) be raised from the dead, with restored bodily form.
revivals. Events of spiritual awakening or high religious involvement; specifically in modern Christianity, commonly in *evangelical circles, special meetings to encourage such awakening or interest.revivals. Events of spiritual awakening or high religious involvement; specifically in modern Christianity, commonly in *evangelical circles, special meetings to encourage such awakening or interest.
Sabbath. The seventh day of the week (Heb. <h>shabbat</>), recalling the completion of the creation and the *Exodus from Egypt. It is a day symbolic of new beginnings and one dedicated to God, a most holy day of rest. The *commandment of rest is found in the *Bible and has been elaborated by the *rabbis. It is a special duty to study *Torah on the Sabbath and to be joyful. Sabbaths near major festivals (see *calendar) are known by special names.Sabbath. The seventh day of the week (Heb. <h>shabbat</>), recalling the completion of the creation and the *Exodus from Egypt. It is a day symbolic of new beginnings and one dedicated to God, a most holy day of rest. The *commandment of rest is found in the *Bible and has been elaborated by the *rabbis. It is a special duty to study *Torah on the Sabbath and to be joyful. Sabbaths near major festivals (see *calendar) are known by special names.
sacrament. Especially in *classical Christianity, a formal religious rite (e.g. *baptism, *eucharist) regarded as sacred for its perfect ability to convey divine blessing; in some traditions (especially *Protestant), it is regarded as not effective in itself but as a sign or symbol of spiritual reality or truth.sacrament. Especially in *classical Christianity, a formal religious rite (e.g. *baptism, *eucharist) regarded as sacred for its perfect ability to convey divine blessing; in some traditions (especially *Protestant), it is regarded as not effective in itself but as a sign or symbol of spiritual reality or truth.
Sadducees. An *early Jewish sub-group whose origins and ideas are uncertain. It probably arose early in the 2nd century BCE and ceased to exist when the *Temple was destroyed in 70 CE. Sadducees supported *priestly authority and rejected traditions not directly grounded in the *Pentateuch, such as the concept of life after death. They are often depicted as in conflict with the *Pharisees.Sadducees. An *early Jewish sub-group whose origins and ideas are uncertain. It probably arose early in the 2nd century BCE and ceased to exist when the *Temple was destroyed in 70 CE. Sadducees supported *priestly authority and rejected traditions not directly grounded in the *Pentateuch, such as the concept of life after death. They are often depicted as in conflict with the *Pharisees.Sadducees. An *early Jewish sub-group whose origins and ideas are uncertain. It probably arose early in the 2nd century BCE and ceased to exist when the *Temple was destroyed in 70 CE. Sadducees supported *priestly authority and rejected traditions not directly grounded in the *Pentateuch, such as the concept of life after death. They are often depicted as in conflict with the *Pharisees.Sadducees. An *early Jewish sub-group whose origins and ideas are uncertain. It probably arose early in the 2nd century BCE and ceased to exist when the *Temple was destroyed in 70 CE. Sadducees supported *priestly authority and rejected traditions not directly grounded in the *Pentateuch, such as the concept of life after death. They are often depicted as in conflict with the *Pharisees.
sage. For Judaism, see *hakam.sage. For Judaism, see *hakam.
salvation. In Christian thought, most generally, liberation from the power and effects of sin; often refers to an experience or series of experiences leading to a sense of liberation; sometimes refers to the expected liberation of a Christian after death.salvation. In Christian thought, most generally, liberation from the power and effects of sin; often refers to an experience or series of experiences leading to a sense of liberation; sometimes refers to the expected liberation of a Christian after death.
Samaritans. Another of the numerous sub-groups in *early Judaism (see also *Sadducees, *Pharisees, *Essenes) and residents of the district of Samaria north of Jerusalem and Judah in what is now Israel. They are said to have recognized only the *Pentateuch as *******ure and Mt. Gerizim as the sacred center rather than Jerusalem. There was ongoing hostility between Samaritans and Judahites. Samaritan communities exist to the present.Samaritans. Another of the numerous sub-groups in *early Judaism (see also *Sadducees, *Pharisees, *Essenes) and residents of the district of Samaria north of Jerusalem and Judah in what is now Israel. They are said to have recognized only the *Pentateuch as *******ure and Mt. Gerizim as the sacred center rather than Jerusalem. There was ongoing hostility between Samaritans and Judahites. Samaritan communities exist to the present.
Sanhedrin (from Greek for "assembly" [of persons seated together]; see also *synagogue, *church). A legislative and judicial body from the period of *early Judaism and into *rabbinic times. Traditionally composed of 71 members.Sanhedrin (from Greek for "assembly" [of persons seated together]; see also *synagogue, *church). A legislative and judicial body from the period of *early Judaism and into *rabbinic times. Traditionally composed of 71 members.Sanhedrin (from Greek for "assembly" [of persons seated together]; see also *synagogue, *church). A legislative and judicial body from the period of *early Judaism and into *rabbinic times. Traditionally composed of 71 members.Sanhedrin (from Greek for "assembly" [of persons seated together]; see also *synagogue, *church). A legislative and judicial body from the period of *early Judaism and into *rabbinic times. Traditionally composed of 71 members.
seder (Heb. for "order"). The traditional evening service and opening of the celebration of *Passover, which includes special food symbols and narratives. The order of the service is highly regulated, and the traditional narrative is known as the Passover *Haggadah.seder (Heb. for "order"). The traditional evening service and opening of the celebration of *Passover, which includes special food symbols and narratives. The order of the service is highly regulated, and the traditional narrative is known as the Passover *Haggadah.seder (Heb. for "order"). The traditional evening service and opening of the celebration of *Passover, which includes special food symbols and narratives. The order of the service is highly regulated, and the traditional narrative is known as the Passover *Haggadah.seder (Heb. for "order"). The traditional evening service and opening of the celebration of *Passover, which includes special food symbols and narratives. The order of the service is highly regulated, and the traditional narrative is known as the Passover *Haggadah.
Septuagint. Strictly speaking, refers to the ancient Greek translation of the Hebrew *Pentateuch, probably made during the reign of Ptolemy II, Greek ruler of Egypt around 250 BCE. Subsequently, Greek translations of other portions of the Jewish ******ures came to be added to the corpus, and the term Septuagint was applied to the entire collection. Such collections served as the *"******ures" for Greek speaking Jews and Christians. . Strictly speaking, refers to the ancient Greek translation of the Hebrew *Pentateuch, probably made during the reign of Ptolemy II, Greek ruler of Egypt around 250 BCE. Subsequently, Greek translations of other portions of the Jewish ******ures came to be added to the corpus, and the term Septuagint was applied to the entire collection. Such collections served as the *"******ures" for Greek speaking Jews and Christians.
shabbat (Heb., "rest"). The *Sabbath.shabbat (Heb., "rest"). The *Sabbath.shabbat (Heb., "rest"). The *Sabbath.shabbat (Heb., "rest"). The *Sabbath.
Shavuot/Shabuot (*Pentecost; Heb., "weeks"). Observed 50 days from the day the first sheaf of grain was offered to the *priests at *Passover; also known as Festival of First Fruits. See *calendar."). Observed 50 days from the day the first sheaf of grain was offered to the *priests at *Passover; also known as Festival of First Fruits. See *calendar.
Shema (Heb. "hear"). Title of the fundamental, monotheistic statement of Judaism, found in Deut. 6:4 ("Hear, O Israel, the Lord is our God, the Lord is One"). This statement avers the unity of God, and is recited daily in the *liturgy (along with Deut. 6:5-9, 11.13-21; Num. 15.37-41 and other passages), and customarily before sleep at night. This proclamation also climaxes special liturgies (like *Yom Kippur), and is central to the confessional before death and the ritual of martyrdom. The Shema is inscribed on the *mezuzah and the *tefillin. In public services, it is recited in unison.Shema (Heb. "hear"). Title of the fundamental, monotheistic statement of Judaism, found in Deut. 6:4 ("Hear, O Israel, the Lord is our God, the Lord is One"). This statement avers the unity of God, and is recited daily in the *liturgy (along with Deut. 6:5-9, 11.13-21; Num. 15.37-41 and other passages), and customarily before sleep at night. This proclamation also climaxes special liturgies (like *Yom Kippur), and is central to the confessional before death and the ritual of martyrdom. The Shema is inscribed on the *mezuzah and the *tefillin. In public services, it is recited in unison.
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