Blog Post 22

1) In the 4th and 5th centuries B.C., the Zoroastrianism began to flourish in Iran. 

2) Zoroastrianism spread beyond its place of origin when the Greeks conquered the Persian Empire.

3) At age 30, Zarathustra was visited by the anel Good Thought who brought him to the Wise Lord.

4) The sacred text of Zoroastrianism is the Avesta. Zarathustra wroth the Gathas, which are the oldest part of the Avesta.

5) The Ahura Mazda is an omnipresent goddess who controls both humans and the world.

6) Ethical dualism is the belief of universal forces of good and evil.

7) The Lie is the evil spirit and one of Ahura Mazda’s children.

8) In the Zoroastrianism cosmic scheme, humans must choose between good and evil.

9) Zarathustra believed that all individuals underwent judgement after they died. Additionally, he also believed that all dead bodies would eventually rise.

10) Traditional Zoroastrian life calls for followers to pray five times daily.

11) The Parsis are Zoroastrians who live in India.

12) The Iliad and the Odyssey are commonly regarded as the Bibles of the ancient Greeks.

13) The Greek gods who competed in the Olympics competed while in human form.

14) Aeschylus’s main contribution to to the understanding of the Olympic gods was the idea of divine justice. He believed that the gods actions were in response to the humans’ actions.

15) An oracle is a a prophet. The most famous Greek oracle was Delphi, because she obtained her wisdom from Apollo.

16) The three basic aspects of the mystery religious are an initiation ritual, members experience a religious deity, and initiates gain spiritual renwal through participation.

17) Eleusinian honored Demeter and Persephone.

18) The god Dionysus is associated with fertility, vegetation, and wine. He is often depicted with vines and grapes.

19) The goal of the ascetic practices of the Orphics was for the soul to escape the body.

20) Plato’s theory of knowledge is that is is recollection.

21) Platonic dualism is that truth exists independently of everything else in the world.

22) Jesus and Asclepius were both considered to be saviors by their large followings of people.

23) Numina were supernatural powers that were thought to inhibit natural objects and buildings.

24) The most powerful Roman deity was Jupiter.

25) Six planets named for Roman deities are Jupiter, Venus, Mars, Neptune, Mercury, and Saturn.

26) The Roman State thought that it was essential to maintain official worship practices because it kept the gods happy.

27) Mithraism and the Cult of Isis were main rivals to Christianity in the later Roman empire.

28) The Egyptians believed that Ostris was killed by his brother and Isis put him back together by turning him into a mummy.

29) Augustus encouraged the worship of the spirit of the emperor.

30) Christian and Roman rulers clashed over emperor worship because the Christians only believed in one God while the Romans saw this lack of worship as turning against the government.

Blog Post 21

1) The Synagogue is a place where the people meet,learn and worship.

2) In the Synagogue, men and women are separated and seated in different sections. The ark is where the Torah scrolls are kept when they are not being utilized and is located on the Eastern wall of the Synagogue. Torah scrolls contain all of Jewish law and tradition. The Ten Commandments are the laws that G-d gave to Moses. They are above the door in a Synagogue.

3) A rabbi is a Jewish teacher. To become a rabbi, a man must complete college as well as other other classes specific to the rabbi teachings. Also, he must live in Israel for at least a year in order to master the Hebrew language. A rabbi is not a clergyman because he does not have the authority or authorization to perform certain rituals. The rabbi’s job is to determine and interpret religious laws.

4) The Sabbath is observed on Saturdays as a time to devote oneself to G-d.

5) The Torah is all of Jewish law and tradition. The Talmud is the oral tradition that explains the teachings of the Torah.

6) Orthodox Jews follow the teachings of the Torah. Reform Jews believe that the Torah and their faith are constantly changing and evolving. Conservative Jews believe that Jewish laws should be able to adapt to the current time period. Zionist Jews believe that all Jews should return to the Holy Land.

7) Hebrew is the historical language of the Jews.

8) Yiddish is the language of European Jews.

9) “Mazal tov” means congratulations. “Shalom” means hello, peace, and goodbye. “Mitzva” is a precept, commandment, or a good deed done because of a religious requirement.

10) Brit Milah is when baby male Jews are circumcised. Bar/Bat Mitzvah is when a Jewish boy/girl is of the age to receive the commandments. Marriage is a natural part of Jewish life because it provides security and companionship.

11) Rosh Hashanah is the Jewish New Year. Yom Kippur is the Jewish Day of Atonement. Hanukkah is the Festival of Rededication/ the Festival of Lights. Passover is when the Jews remember how G-d passed over their houses in Egypt.

12) I knew that Hanukkah involved lights.

13) I learned about the qualifications of rabbi's and other things specific to their culture. 

14) Jews celebrate confirmation by having a ceremony. 

15) Complete Jewish funeral services can take place solely at the graveside.