Islam - The Summit of Religious Evolution — Page 10
10 • You shall not curse the deaf or put a stumbling block before the blind • You shall do no injustice in judgement; you shall not be partial toward the poor, nor favor the mighty • You shall not wrong the stranger. The stranger among you shall be as the home- born among you, and you shall love him as yourself WORSHIP IN JUDAISM All acts of worship in Judaism are based on three principles, which are: (i) God should be praised and worshipped (ii) Humans should ask his Lord for all his needs (iii) Humans can commune with God through prayer The various acts of worship in Judaism including prayer, singing of God's praise, fasting, observing Sabbath, offering sacrifices, are based on the three fundamental principles listed above. The various rituals of Jewish worship are: THE PRAYER There are three daily prayers, which include the Shemah and other passages from the Hebrew Bible and the post-biblical works. The prayer also includes meditation and asking of individual favors and blessings. The prayers are said in the morning, afternoon and evening, either at home or in the synagogue. MEZUZAH This is a small wooden case inscribed with the Shemah and another discourse from Deuteronomy. This case is fastened to the doorpost of one's home and each time, upon going out or coming in, the Mezuzah is touched with the tips of two fingers, which are then kissed. The entire ritual is symbolic of remembering God while entering and leaving home. FEAST OF PASSOVER The entire family participates in this annual ritual, which takes place during the Feast of Passover. The occasion marks the exodus of the Israelites from Egypt. The ritual celebrations include the invoking of blessings, singing of the first chapter of Genesis and saying of prayers. OBSERVING OF SABBATH This is the Jewish weekly holy day and begins on Friday after sunset and ends at sunset on Saturday. This day is essentially devoted to services in the synagogue and prayers. No work of any kind is permitted on this day. The orthodox Jews do not travel on this day. KOSHER FOODS It is the duty of Jews to eat kosher food, food fit according to Jewish dietary laws. According to these laws, meat and dairy products must not be served in the same meal.