Hineni The New Hebrew Through Prayer 2 continues study of the prayer service with the Shabbat morning Amidah and selected prayers for Friday night. Students learn over 90 key prayer words and 30 roots, prefixes, and suffixes as they explore the meaning of the blessings of the Amidah (Avot, Avot Ve'imahot, G'vurot, K'dushah, Hoda'ah, Birkat Shalom), Oseh Shalom, and prayers and songs for Friday night (L'chah Dodi, V'shamru, Shalom Aleichem). Each prayer begins with a friendly and accessible motivational introduction. Then students examine the themes of each prayer and relate each theme to their own experiences and lives. Hineni 2 explores relevant Jewish values and shows how those values underlie the meaning of the prayers. It also uses challenging analytical questions to encourage students to think critically about the prayers and the activity of praying. For example, in regard to the Kedushah: "Rising up on our toes is a physical way of trying to come closer to God. Can you think of another, nonphysical way you might come closer to God?".
A fascinating comparative account of sacred languages and their role in and beyond religion —written for a broad, interdisciplinary audience Sacred languages have been used for foundational texts, liturgy, and ritual for millennia, and many have remained virtually unchanged through the centuries. While the vital relationship between language and religion has been long acknowledged, new research and thinking across an array of disciplines including religious studies, sociolinguistics, sociology, linguistics, and even neurolinguistics has resulted in a renewed interest in the area. This fascinating and informative book draws on Christian, Islamic, Hindu, Judaic, and Buddhist traditions to provide a concise and accessible introduction to the phenomenon of sacred languages. The book takes a strongly comparative, wide-ranging approach to exploring ways in which ancient religious languages, such as Latin, Pali, Church Slavonic, and Hebrew continue to shape the beliefs and practices of religious communities around the world. Informed by both comparative religion and sociolinguistics, it traces the histories of sacred languages, the myths and doctrines that explain their origin and value, the various ways they are used, the sectarian debates that shadow them, and the technological innovations that propel them forward in the twenty-first century. A comprehensive but succinct account of the role and importance of language within religion Takes an interdisciplinary approach which will appeal to students and scholars across an array of disciplines, including religious studies, sociology of religion, sociolinguistics, and linguistics Provides a strongly comparative exploration, drawing on Christian, Islamic, Hindu, Judaic, and Buddhist traditions Uses numerous examples and ties historic debates with contemporary situations Satisfies the rapidly growing demand for books on the subject among both academics and general readers Sacred Languages of the World is a must-read for students of religion and language, scripture, religious literacy, education and language, the sociology of religion, sociolinguistics. It will also have strong appeal among general readers with an interest comparative religion, history, cultural criticism, communication studies, and more.
52 Hebrew Words Every Christian Should Know is an outstanding reference tool and study guide to some of the riches words in the Christian faith. The words are written in Hebrew and explained in English. Each word is given and in depth definition, explanation, historic use, and complemented by a stunning photograph.
This volume of the My People's Prayer Book series helps us to understand how this collection of short prayers and a call to study recognizes each new day: we awaken as individuals but quickly affirm our role in the covenant with God.