Comparative Religions, Monday, Period #3, Class #3--Judaism

[spacepiratevala.livejournal.com]

As the students entered the Danger Room Shop, as they'd been handwavily instructed to do, they would find a setting that looking very, very much like a desert.

There was a reason for that.

"Hello, my class." Vala entered, carrying a box of paper hats and streamers, as well as some noisemakers. "Welcome to the shiny new year of 5768. At least according to the Jewish religion, which is what we'll be learning about today. This religion existed at the time of the Egyptians, those wake polytheists that we learned about last week. However, they were what is known as monotheists--or those who believe in one god as the supreme being in the universe."

"You may ask why we're sitting in the middle of a desert. Well, most of the major events in the history and formation of this religion took place in the desert, traditionally thought to be around the area where Israel now exists, though that is in some doubt, and I thought it might lead to inspiration. The person traditionally credited with having the revelations that are the basis for the religion is Abraham, who is thought to have gotten his ideas while wandering around in the desert. So, take that with a grain of salt, or as you will, but the adherents of this religion had many revelations in the desert--check out Moses and the movie Prince of Egypt if you want the story there."

"Modern history seems to consider Judaism as a dying religion, or tends to focus on their persecution at the hands of Egyptians, Babylonians, Romans, Russians, or being massacred by the Germans. However, past history shows a religion of stubborn survivors, with a strong tradition of learning, study, and examination of most moral and political issues that have arisen. No aspect of life has been left unexplored--there are dietary restrictions, debates on the meanings and importance of words in particular passages, rules for religious rituals and sacrifices, rules for mourning, and so on. However, one of the hallmarks of Judaism is that there is no one right answer about anything, except the existence of one god."

She consulted her notes. "The Torah is the holy Jewish law, but there is an oral law based on the debate about those laws, since written down, and I'm not quite sure how that works, called the Talmud. Studying both is an essential part of Judaism, and considered to be one of the most important things you can do as a Jew. As new issues arise due to the changing world, scholars look to these two books for answers, and an indication of what they believe they should do, according to the rules already laid out for them."

"Another hallmark of this religion--mostly due to its history of persecution by other governments--is a distinct lack of easily resellable obviously valuable relics. Any temples that might have held ancient relics were destroyed many thousands of years ago." She may have looked especially sad about that. "Many religious rituals are therefore either very simple, or home-based. Food is an important part of the religion, as well, and there is a strong focus on family, as with many of the other religions we will be studying."

Vala cleared her throat, "I believe I've bored you all enough for one day. There are history books to study, I've brought some translations of services and of the Torah and Talmud, and there is also some food, if you're hungry. Those of you who are more enterprising may feel free to attempt to make a kosher dish," she fiddled with the controls until they were in a well-appointed kitchen, with dishes and implements well-marked for their convenience. Have fun, and enjoy the new year, which was last week. Next Friday and Saturday are the holiest days of the Jewish year, called Yom Kippur--or the Day of Atonement--which involves a twenty-four hour fast while you atone for your sins, so you should be glad it's only a once a year thing."

[ooc: OCD up in a few!]

Comments

Sign In--CR #3

[spacepiratevala.livejournal.com]

And take a party hat!

Re: Sign In--CR #3

[irulan-atreides.livejournal.com]

Princess Irulan Corrino, with a very, very large hat.

During the Lecture

[spacepiratevala.livejournal.com]

Listen, take notes, get a tan, wait for divine inspiration, etc.

Re: During the Lecture

[irulan-atreides.livejournal.com]

A desert. Irulan sat and imagined what it was like in a real desert... like Arrakis, the desert planet. This is where Paul Atreides and his family are now.

Re: During the Lecture

[ecirpnellehada.livejournal.com]

Adah is carefully taking notes in her own invented shorthand, as well as she can, although she already knows most of this stuff to death and back again.

Re: During the Lecture

[tatooine-doofus.livejournal.com]

Luke looked very much at home in the desert.

And a little annoyed how at home he looked.

Re: During the Lecture

[multiplez]

Z took notes, occasionally tilting her face up toward the sun in a way that might have suggested she was contemplating the divine. Really, though, she was working on her tan.

Re: During the Lecture

[vkandis-son.livejournal.com]

The desert reminded him of a week spent riding through one, but it also reminded him of seeing a planet from space, so he was smiling a little as he took notes.

Re: During the Lecture

[im-afrog.livejournal.com]

Adam took notes and glanced up at the sun, reminded of the warm weather back home.

Re: During the Lecture

[way-black.livejournal.com]

Blackheart was quite familiar with learning about a certain Judeo-Christian monotheistic God, but this was a completely different point of view than his teachers back home might have presented the same topic, and so he was listening with rapt attention.

Re: During the Lecture

[flamingbonehead.livejournal.com]

Johnny took notes on the lecture a Vala spoke to the class. He liked the heat of the desert, but wished that there were some visible roads. He could see how someone could get to thinking about spirituality in an endless landscape like this.

Have a nosh!

[spacepiratevala.livejournal.com]

Good deli-style food here. Mod as you will.

Re: Have a nosh!

[irulan-atreides.livejournal.com]

Irulan drank a lot of water.

Re: Have a nosh!

[multiplez]

Oooh, bagels! Z helped herself to one (okay, two) with cream cheese and lox. Yum.

Re: Have a nosh!

[vkandis-son.livejournal.com]

Karal really wasn't hungry, but he tried a bit of bagel, nibbling on it tentatively.

Re: Have a nosh!

[im-afrog.livejournal.com]

Adam made a beeline for the bagels. He also grabbed a water.

Re: Have a nosh!

[saltandammo.livejournal.com]

Free food? Dean was so there.

Re: Have a nosh!

[blackmagic-eve.livejournal.com]

Eve was all over the food -- except not literally, ew -- and quickly put together a corned beef sandwich for herself.

Activities

[spacepiratevala.livejournal.com]

Possible things to do:

1. Study translations of ancient texts
2. Make something to eat, following the rules of kashrut
3. Try to figure out what day and month we're in, according to the Hebrew calendar (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hebrew_calendar)

Re: Activities

[irulan-atreides.livejournal.com]

Irulan puzzled over the ancient texts, writing has certainly changed over a course of a few millenia.

Re: Activities

[ecirpnellehada.livejournal.com]

Figuring out the Hebrew calendar was simple and quick for Adah although the mun was so not touching it, which was good, because that left more times for her to pour over translations, although, again, thanks to the Verse, she knew a great deal of these by heart, too, save for minor differences. Those minor differences were what had her so intrigued, though.

Re: Activities

[tatooine-doofus.livejournal.com]

Luke was attempting to cook.

Someone stop him. Please.

Talk to the TA

[spacepiratevala.livejournal.com]

As soon as he pings in.

Re: Talk to the TA

[likethegun]

Sam was here, working on translations as his activity of choice.

Talk to Vala

[spacepiratevala.livejournal.com]

After class, but also after 8 pm, EDT

OOC

[spacepiratevala.livejournal.com]

*Definitely* no world ending this week, omg.