Notes, summaries, assignments, exams, and problems for Religion

1. The Written and Oral Torah

Which part of the Torah was always in a written form?

The Written Torah, תורה שבכתב

Which part of the Torah was not committed for public broadcast?

תורה שבעל פה - The Oral Torah

2. Pre-Mishnaic Transmission

What would the leading Torah authority write during each generation prior to the Mishna being organized?

He would make personal notes of the teachings he received from his master, which he then would teach orally to people.

3. Rebi and the Mishna

Who was “Rebi”?

רבי יהודה הנשיא - Rabbi Judah the Prince

What did “Rebi” collect and compose?

All the decisions, laws, interpretations, and explanations that had been heard from Moshe, or that the Sanhedrin innovated. From this material,... Continue reading "The Oral and Written Torah: A Comprehensive Guide" »

The definition of נזיקין, is

-Damages

Which following tractate is NOT included in סדר זרעים?

-Tahara -Shabbat

Which following tractate is NOT included in סדר מועד?

-Demai -Maasrot

Seder קדשים included the following three tractates?

-Zavachim, Menachot, Chullin.

The words משנה למלך mean

-Deputy to a King

Why are these tractates referred to as משנה?

-It is similar to the words משנה למלך, since the written Torah is the king and the Mishnah is subordinate to it.

The sages of the Gemara are called

-אמוראים

1. בית שמאי lived during the time of the- תנאים
   
2. בית הלל lived during the times of the -תנאים
   
3. חנניה was an -תנא

The meaning of תנא is

-Teacher

The definition of an אמורא is

-

End of the War of the Roses (1485) - Battle of Bosworth

Houses of Lancaster and York

The War of the Roses was a 30-year war between the Houses of Lancaster and York. Richard III fought against Henry Tudor.

Henry Tudor's Reign

Henry Tudor married Elizabeth of York, daughter of Edward IV, in 1486. They had several children, including Arthur in 1486 and Henry in 1491.

Martin Luther's Ninety-Five Theses

Martin Luther's Ninety-Five Theses, published in 1517, marked the beginning of the Reformation. This movement spread rapidly thanks to two main factors: the printing press and the translation of the Bible into vernacular languages.

The Printing Press

William Caxton's introduction of the printing press to England in 1476 was a significant development. It... Continue reading "The Reformation in England: From War of the Roses to Henry VIII" »

Hello class, my name is Felix, and today I'm presenting: Uruguay's vision of death.

Death is a topic of immense concern for humankind because it will sooner or later affect everyone. Often it comes very suddenly and unexpectedly and can therefore be very tragic; in other cases, it may simply be a relief. Every culture has a different way to approach and deal with death. What are the different funerary rituals, burial practices, and strategies for body disposal? Do all people belonging to a certain culture deal the same way with death and the funeral? How does religion influence a culture with death? These are questions that pique my interest, and for this investigation, I will mainly concentrate on the Uruguayan culture's view of death.

Firstly,... Continue reading "Uruguay's Cultural Approach to Death: Funerary Rituals and Religious Influence" »

Causes of the Protestant Reformation

The 16th century witnessed significant religious conflicts, primarily driven by the Reformation and subsequent Counter-Reformation. Several factors contributed to the widespread desire for change within the Roman Catholic Church.

Disdain for the Papacy and Clergy

The Roman Catholic Church held immense power across Europe. However, many perceived that popes were primarily concerned with their own interests, bishops lived lives of luxury without fulfilling their pastoral duties, and many religious orders failed to adhere to their established rules. This led to a growing disillusionment among the populace.

Abuses Within the Church

Widespread abuses further fueled discontent. These included:

• Nepotism: High-ranking

counter reformation:

 to stop the spread of lutheranism , the catholic church began its own reform 

The pope Paul III called THE COUNCIL OF FRENT  to correct the mistakes of catholics 

-prohibition of the sale of indulgences

- creation of seminaries to improve the eduation of the clergy

- obligation of the clergy to lead an exemplary life

- creation of the cathetism(basic teachings)

the pope created the INQUISITION  in1542 , a tribunae that persecured and punished those who did not follow the catholic doctrine . And THE INDEX PROHIBITORUM was written, with the list of forbidden books. For example "95 theses"

the society of Jesus (jesusitas) spread the ideas of the counter reformation

The Exodus: Israelites' Journey from Egypt to Canaan

The Israelites' Enslavement in Egypt

The book of Exodus describes the Israelites' journey from Egypt to Canaan, which lasted 40 years. The last chapters of Genesis describe a famine that occurred in Canaan. As Jacob's descendants grew in number, the Pharaoh became increasingly distrustful of them. Exodus details how the Pharaoh mistreated the Israelites, ultimately enslaving them.

Moses and the Exodus

Moses was an Israelite who was adopted by the Royal Family. God appeared to Moses and instructed him to rescue his people from slavery in Egypt. Moses asked the Pharaoh to free the Israelites, but he refused. God then brought terrible hardships upon Egypt, such as sickness and swarms of insects.... Continue reading "Israelites' Journey from Egypt to Canaan: Exodus Story" »

At the beginning of the Early Modern Age, the authority of the Catholic Church was being challenged. People believed that the Catholic Church was failing to adapt to the times.

Humanism emphasized the value of human beings and promoted individual interpretation of the Bible. With the development of authoritarian monarchies, monarchs had more control over the Church, weakening the authority of the pope.

In addition, the selling and buying of indulgences was introduced. This meant that sins could be pardoned in exchange for money given to the Church. This practice was criticized by priests and humanists. There were many other harmful practices at the heart of the Church, so some people called for reforms:

Essential Vocabulary List: Definitions and Meanings

• Abase: To humiliate; to lower in esteem or dignity; to humble.
• Abet: To support someone who has done something wrong.
• Abeyance: Temporary cessation.
• Abjure: To formally renounce or take back (a belief or claim).
• Abomination: Extreme loathing or disgust.
• Aboriginal: Native; indigenous.
• Abound: To be numerous or plentiful.
• Abrogate: To repeal or nullify (a law, right, or agreement).
• Accede: To give in; to agree.
• Accentuate: To emphasize or make more noticeable.
• Access: The right or means to approach or enter.
• Acclaim: To praise publicly and enthusiastically.
• Accord: To agree; to be in harmony; to grant or bestow.
• Accouterment: Personal clothing or equipment; trappings.
• Accrue: To accumulate over time.
• Acquisitive: