Judaism as Religious Life - Coursework Example

?Running head: Midterm exam Midterm exam Insert Insert Insert 15 March Section A Question Sharia, according to Saudi Arabian Islam, is basically a divine law in accordance to how it was expressed by Muhammad’s example and the Quran. The Quran refers to unalterable laws of God that are interpreted, as they are to exhort the Islam community to the general moral values. On the other hand, Sunnah is the life of Muhammad as an example to the Muslim community. On the basis of Muhammad’s examples, the Sharia is established as a divine law. However, according to many scholars, Sharia has been pointed out as not being a well-defined set of rules or codes, but rather, characterized as an interpretation and discussion of Muslim duties based on both extensive literature and the Muslim community opinions. Sharia is a diverse, long, and complicated divine law, rather than just a set of rules and codes of conduct for the Muslim community. Although only eighty verses in the Qur'an are regarded as the legal prescriptions, the Sharia law is established with regards to this. Muhammad’s example is emphasized as an importance source of Sharia in the Quran with which the Muslim community bases their arguments of the divine law. Sharia based on Sunnah is contained in reports of Muhammad's actions, his sayings, and his tacit approval of his demeanor and actions. Sunnah as Sharia takes pride of the many compilations of reports during both the sahih period and thereafter regarding Muhammad’s examples. However, Sharia extends and interprets its applications beyond the issues addressed in the Quran and the example Muhammad and includes secondary sources such as consensus regarding religious scholar in the ijma and qivas analogy. More to the analogy of the Quran and Muhammad’s example, Shia jurists always seek to apply reasoning as Sharia basis. Sharia is believed by the Muslim community as God’s Law although the extent to which the law exactly entails is diverse. Sharia functionality based on traditionalist, modernists, and fundamentalists holds varying opinions among divergent views of scholars and schools of thought. More so, different cultures, countries, and societies have divergent views and interpretation of Sharia as a divine law. The functions of Sharia entails defining societal issues with regards to aspects such as crime, economics, politics and personal issues that range from hygiene, sexual intercourse, fasting, diet and prayers. Through these issues, Sharia seeks to streamline the lives of human beings as intended by their creator. Sharia functions through the Imam whose responsibility entails interpretation of the Sharia. Section B Question 3 Worship basically entails honoring the creator through adherence of individuals and communities to detailed codes of conduct according to ones religion. The livelihood of a people with regards to prayers and general day-to-day activities entails worship activities. Communities and individuals have particular ways of honoring their creator through their day-to-day activities such as their way of praying, waking up in the morning, and even eating. Through these specific activities in honor of God, a community and individual can be attributed to having worshiped their Creator. Worship shapes and expresses religious life in Judaism through their day-to-day activities of individuals and communities and more so their way of communication to their creator. Judaism worship is rather an informal way of communicating to God although it is largely guided by tradition. Judaism focuses on the tenets of rituals where community and individual’s religious life expresses values that are inclined towards helping others and Loving God. Ritual is basically inclined towards helping others and loving God. Judaism religious life is defined and shaped to greater extent by dietary law, which comes out as the most evident and significant form or worships. Judaism adherence to the dietary laws is a form of worship that expresses and shapes religious lives of Jews. The dietary laws are set out in accordance to the Jewish ritual established standards in the Hebrew bible. The dietary laws includes killing of the kosher meat in accordance with special rules and preparation in a manner that all blood is removed. More so, the meat must be from an animal that has cloven hoofs and chews the cud. Animals from the sea must have fins or scales while poultry meat must have adhered to specials rules of preparation and slaughter. On the other hand, dairy products must not be consumed in conjunction with meat products while utensils used for dairy and non-dairy meals must be separated (Lebeau 39-165). Worships also entail group prayers and particular prayers depending on the day of the month and the hour of the day. Jewish males are also expected to wear small headpieces during services as way of honoring God. Religious life in Judaism is shaped and expressed through dietary, prayer and worship service activities among other involvements such as community volunteer, Jewish learning and family activities. The temple acts as a worship centre Jews fulfill their ritual observance, spirituality, and Jewish life in general. More over, worship services involve diverse activities such as congregational singing, teachings by the Rabbi and inspiring music in praise of the Almighty. Question 4 Public and private aspects of worship in Judaism places emphasis on obligation, learning, and duty as an expression of religious life. Aspects of worship place much emphasis on personal, ethical, and social responsibilities as enjoined by God. Jewish ethical obligations are not only recognized as restrictive and limited responsibility but extend to other diverse aspects of the religious life. Diverse aspects of Judaism religious life with regards to ethical obligations encompass aspects such as creating a Jewish home that is focused on family devotion, daily religious observance, lifelong religious study, public worship and private prayer, keeping the Sabbath day holy, community and synagogue involvement among other activities. Collective adherence to above mentioned public and private life aspects among the Jews are not only meant to enhance survival but also existence of the people. However, worship aspects of Judaism religion are left are left at the discretion of individuals and the community to choose and create their holiness. Recommendations and details to private and public life aspects are not enforced but rather repeatedly emphasized among the people and the community at large. Judaism worship asserts to their belief in one God who is concerned with humankind and their activities according to the Hebrew bible. God commanded Israel as a nation to love and worship only God and to imitate God’s love for the people by loving one another. Judaism as a religion is held by the commandments and laws of God as a covenant that constitutes and defines private and public aspects of the people. Judaism religion constitutes day-to-day common individual experiences among Jews as it relates to God’s commandments where its fulfillment is with respect to the blessing and livelihood of humankind. Works Cited Lebeau, James. The Jewish Dietary Laws Sanctify Life. New York: National Youth Commission, 1983. Read More