Jewish Holy Days free essay sample

Roy Rehberg Jewish Holy Days Paper Many different religions celebrate holidays of all kinds. Throughout history, each religion has developed their own traditions. These traditions are important as they have been traced back through our ancestors and provide a valuable lesson on how important traditions are. Judaism is no different. Although Judaism was the base of Christianity, the traditions are very different. Those of Jewish faith celebrate three major holy days in succession; Rosh Hashanah, ten days later is Yom Kippur, and finally five days after that is Sukkot. Time of the Year of Holy Day It all starts in the fall with the Jewish New Year, Rosh Hashanah. Following that is the most sacred day of the year, Yom Kippur. Although these days are now celebrated on specific days, it was not always like that. They used to just base it off of the harvest season. Yom Kippur is referred to as the Day of Atonement, which means to make up for faults. We will write a custom essay sample on Jewish Holy Days or any similar topic specifically for you Do Not WasteYour Time HIRE WRITER Only 13.90 / page It is during this time that the Jewish people stick to a strict regime of prayer and fasting. Occurring in late autumn is Sukkot, which marks the end of the wandering period by the Jewish after their departure from Egypt. Altogether, this whole period in time is called the Days of Awe because of the effect it has on the people (Molloy, 2010). Historical Origin of Holy Day In order to fully understand Sukkot, we must first go back in the Bible to Exodus, more specifically the book of Numbers. In the book of Numbers, we are told of the Israelites being led out of Egypt by Moses. They were led out because 400 years before that, they had been made slaves. Moses led the Israelites to Mount Sinai where God handed down to him the Ten Commandments. After this they made their way to the Promise Land. Once they found the Promise Land, God told them they could enter; however, no one trusted God enough to go in. As part of a punishment for not having faith in God, they were forced to wonder for forty years. Sukkot commemorates the end of the Jewish wandering by giving thanks for a plentiful harvest. It is now one of three pilgrimage festivals that those of Jewish faith celebrate. Religious Practices Associated with the Days In the Torah, it states that on this holiday we should â€Å"live in booths seven days†¦in order that future generations may know that I made the Israelite people live in booths when I brought them out of the land of Egypt, I am the Lord your God† (Lev. 23:42-43) (History Of Sukkot, n. d. ). Sukkot means â€Å"booth† and refers to what the Jewish people were required to live in during this time. These booths must have 3 walls and be covered with some kind of material that will not allow for the building to be easily knocked down. In order for the roof to fulfill the commandment, the roof needs to be made of a material from the earth, has to be something that allows for rain to enter and the stars to be seen (Jewish Virtual Library, 2014). Theological or Cultural Differences Throughout all the different religions, people have made small changes or adjusted things to better fit their lives. For example, Christmas is a Christian holiday, but the way every family celebrates it may vary quite a bit. Theologically speaking, there is a definite difference between Orthodox Jews and Liberal Jews. Orthodox Jews believe in complete acceptance of the Torah, whereas liberal Jews believe that Torah laws are more lenient or adapt to the modern world. The cultural difference will not be as significant when it comes to Jews in different countries. For example, one difference would be the food served on Holy Days. Conclusion Sukkot is a very important holy day to those who are practicing Jews. The booths they build during this time are also significant to this day because they are a symbol of a more humbling time. Not only does Sukkot remind the Jews about bountiful harvests, but it is also a reminder of the faith they should have had in God at the promise land. Traditions such as these are handed down through ancestors and are an important part of our heritage and religious beliefs. References History of Sukkot. (n. d. ). Retrieved from

Biography of Ralph Waldo Emerson

Biography of Ralph Waldo Emerson Ralph Waldo Emerson was one of the most influential Americans of the 19th century. His writings played a major role in the development of American literature, and his thought impacted political leaders as well as countless ordinary people. Emerson, born into a family of ministers, became known as an unorthodox and controversiall thinker in the late 1830s. His writing and public persona would cast a long shadow over American letters, as he influenced such major American writers as Walt Whitman and Henry David Thoreau. Early Life of Ralph Waldo Emerson Ralph Waldo Emerson was born May 25, 1803. His father was a prominent Boston minister. And though his father died when Emerson was eight years old, Emersons family managed to send him to Boston Latin School and Harvard College. After graduating from Harvard he taught school with his older brother for a time, and eventually decided to become a Unitarian minister. He became the junior pastor at a noted Boston institution, Second Church. Personal Crisis Emerson’s personal life appeared promising, as he fell in love and married Ellen Tucker in 1829. His happiness was short-lived, however, as his young wife died less than two years later. Emerson was emotionally devastated. As his wife was from a wealthy family, Emerson received an inheritance which helped sustain him for the rest of his life. The death of his wife and his plunge into misery led Emerson to have severe doubts about his religious beliefs. He became increasingly disillusioned with the ministry over the next several years and he resigned from his position at the church. He spent most of 1833 touring Europe. In Britain Emerson met with prominent writers, including Thomas Carlyle, which whom he began a lifelong friendship. Emerson Began to Publish and Speak in Public After returning to America, Emerson began to express his changing ideas in written essays. His essay â€Å"Nature,† published in 1836, was noteworthy. It is often cited as the place where central ideas of Transcendentalism were expressed. In the late 1830s Emerson began to make a living as a public speaker. At that time in America, crowds would pay to hear people discuss current events or philosophical topics, and Emerson was soon a popular orator in New England. Over the course of his life his speaking fees would be a major portion of his income. The Transcendentalist Movement Because Emerson is so closely linked to the Transcendentalists, it is often believed that he was the founder of Transcendentalism. He was not, as other New England thinkers and writers actually came together, calling themselves Transcendentalists, in the years before he published â€Å"Nature.† Yet Emerson’s prominence, and his growing public profile, made him the most famous of the Transcendentalist writers. Emerson Broke with Tradition In 1837, a class at Harvard Divinity School invited Emerson to speak. He delivered an address titled â€Å"The American Scholar† which was well-received. It was hailed as â€Å"our intellectual Declaration of Independence† by Oliver Wendell Holmes, a student who would go on to be a prominent essayist. The following year the graduating class at the Divinity School invited Emerson to give the commencement address. Emerson, speaking to a fairly small group of people on July 15, 1838, ignited a huge controversy. He delivered an address advocating Transcendentalist ideas such as love of nature and self-reliance. The faculty and clergy considered Emerson’s address to be somewhat radical and a calculated insult. He was not invited back to speak at Harvard for decades. Emerson Was Known as The Sage of Concord Emerson married his second wife, Lidian, in 1835, and they settled in Concord, Massachusetts. In Concord Emerson found a peaceful place to live and write, and a literary community sprang up around him. Other writers associated with Concord in the 1840s included Nathaniel Hawthorne, Henry David Thoreau, and Margaret Fuller. Emerson was sometimes referred to in the newspapers as The Sage of Concord. Ralph Waldo Emerson Was a Literary Influence Emerson published his first book of essay in 1841, and published a second volume in 1844. He continued speaking far and wide, and it’s known that in 1842 he gave an address titled â€Å"The Poet† in New York City. One of the audience members was a young newspaper reporter, Walt Whitman. The future poet was greatly inspired by Emerson’s words. In 1855, when Whitman published his classic book Leaves of Grass, he sent a copy to Emerson, who responded with a warm letter praising Whitman’s poetry. This endorsement from Emerson helped launched Whitman’s career as a poet. Emerson also exerted a major influence over Henry David Thoreau, who was a young Harvard graduate and schoolteacher when Emerson met him in Concord. Emerson sometimes employed Thoreau as a handyman and gardener, and encouraged his young friend to write. Thoreau lived for two years in a cabin he built on a plot of land owned by Emerson, and wrote his classic book, Walden, based on the experience. Involvement in Social Causes Emerson was known for his lofty ideas, but he was also known to get involved in specific social causes. The most notable cause Emerson supported was the abolitionist movement. Emerson spoke out against slavery for years, and even helped runaway slaves get to Canada via the Underground Railroad. Emerson also praised John Brown, the fanatical abolitionist who many perceived as a violent madman. Though Emerson had been fairly apolitical, the conflict over slavery led him to the new Republican Party, and in the election of 1860 he voted for Abraham Lincoln. When Lincoln signed the Emancipation Proclamation Emerson hailed it as a great day for the United States. Emerson was deeply affected by Lincolns assassination, and considered him a martyr. Emersons Later Years After the Civil War, Emerson continued to travel and give lectures based on his many essays. In California he befriended naturalist John Muir, whom he met in Yosemite Valley. But by the 1870s his health was beginning to fail. He died in Concord on April 27, 1882. He was nearly 79 years old. His death was front-page news. The New York Times published a lengthy obituary of Emerson on the front page. It is impossible to learn about American literature in the 19th century without encountering Ralph Waldo Emerson. His influence was profound, and his essays, especially classics such as Self-Reliance, are still read and discussed more than 160 years after their publication. Sources: Ralph Waldo Emerson.  Encyclopedia of World Biography, Gale, 1998. The Death of Mr. Emerson. New York Times, 28 April 1882. A1.

Contrast Dantes presentation of sins and sinners in Inferno and Essay

Contrast Dantes presentation of sins and sinners in Inferno and Purgatorio - Essay Example s and sinners in Inferno and Purgatory and characteristic portrayal of sins and sinners by Dante surpasses the treatment of the theme by any literary figures the world literature. â€Å"Ultimately, of course, what most distinguishes Dante’ Inferno from other representations of Hell is that he creates sinners so complex and alive that the reader is compelled to sympathize and identify with them, rather than simply to fear their lot and resolve to avoid it.† (Lansing and Barolini, 476) Therefore, Dante Alighieri’s presentation of sins and sinners in Inferno and Purgatory are unlike their typical representations in literature and there is essential difference in the depiction of sins and sinners between the books Inferno and Purgatory. In a profound analysis of the two books of the Divine Comedy, it becomes lucid that Dante’s Purgatory, in contrast to the Inferno, is a place of camaraderie, harmony, and sharing and it is, in fact, a transitory state of existe nce where the sinners are hopeful of purging themselves of their sins and gaining entry into Paradise. Significantly, there is essential difference in the representation of sins and sinners between the books Inferno and Purgatory and it is important to realize this distinction to comprehend how the Divine Comedy surpasses other pieces of the world literature which deal with the same theme. In his introduction to Purgatory, Mark Musa makes the distinction between the portrayal of sins and sinners in Inferno and Purgatory as follows: â€Å"In the Inferno the damned are grouped according to the sinful acts they committed; in the Purgatory repentant sinners are grouped according to the tendencies that were the cause of their sins. Penance is not to be considered as a punishment, but rather as a corrective measure for that sinner who has repented. It was a discipline imposed in order to help one fight the old habit of ones sin or the residual tendency to sin.† (Musa, x) Therefore, Dante has been careful about

What Shamu Taught Me About a Happy Marriage Assignment

What Shamu Taught Me About a Happy Marriage - Assignment Example The theory of approximation or rewards on positive behavior which Sutherland uses on her husband to train him to keep things in place reminds me that the same can be used to teach kids good habits. Sutherland’s description of the â€Å"American husband† is truly commendable and it really creates an animal-like image of Scott in the mind. The LRS training, which she uses on her husband to avoid any kind of behavioral response, works towards lowering the negativity between them. She successfully trained her husband to do what she expected of him just like the trained exotic animals she had been writing about. However, what is amusing is the fact that in the end Scott started training the American wife which reveals the fact that even animals can alter behavioral pattern of their trainers or masters. It is true that the behavioral pattern of any animal maybe altered with the help of ignorance, reinforment etc and description of how Sutherlands uses the same at home makes one laugh. However it made me think whether Sutherland’s initial intention was trying to improve her relation with Scott or simply try the animal tricks on humans? Is it right to actually train someone, especially an adult to alter behavior for the sake of saving a relation? Wouldn’t training make the trained person fake and disguise his/her true

Human resource management Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

Human resource management - Essay Example She called attention to psychology as a measure to improve not only productivity, but also the welfare of the workers. Through this, she was able to advance the humanistic side of Psychology and its application to the industry. Among the key domains where HRM is oftentimes applied and executed are Performance Management, Motivation and Leadership. In these domains, HRM is able to exercise its goal of developing people skills and helping them work efficiently in order to improve organizational productivity. In the area of Performance Management, HRM strategically develops and improves performance through policies that emphasize customer needs and service quality through systematic monitoring, evaluation, rewarding, and instilling a sense of accountability among individuals and teams. In Motivation, HRM helps in identifying concrete steps to determine the primary motivators of the workers and to provide these motivators to ensure optimum performance of duties. Paul J. Meyer is known to have identified five warning signs for waning motivation, and he subsequently formed a 5-point plan to correct motivational problems and to help in maintaining its momentum. Finally, in Leadership, HRM helps leaders develop pr oper communication within and beyond the organization, establish an aware and responsive culture among its members, and promote high standards through setting examples (Gibbs, 2000). HRM goals should be in line with organizational goals, yet it should keep up with the needs of the individual workers and the constantly changing environment of the workforce, in response to the changing supply and demand. HRM models serve to outline the relationship of the essential elements needed to provide effective HRM, at least to grant concrete structure all throughout the face of continuing changes, and to guarantee that the basic aspects are being met. The traditional HRM Model by M. Hanada Keio involves a four-way system of grading – through rewards,

Opportunities for International Investors Essay -- Essays Papers

Opportunities for International Investors ATTITUDES TOWARDS FOREIGN INVESTMENT Because the Foreign Investments Law and supplementary rules establish the principle of equal treatment for domestic and foreign investors, foreign investors enjoy the same rights and duties as Argentine investors. However, the government no longer grants special incentives. Argentina welcomes foreign investments, and its laws governing foreign investment are among the most liberal in the world. In general, Argentina encourages investments through a free-market policy and low income tax rates rather than through subsidies. The basic attitude towards foreign capital is very positive; all previously existing requirements concerning prior government approval of foreign investments have been eliminated. Argentina has traditionally been very hospitable to foreigners. The Argentine government is making active efforts to attract foreign investments. Foreign investments obviously have also played a very important role in the privatization process, referred to below. Domestic capital resources are not sufficient for economic development; the government therefore encourages the inflow of foreign investment. Because Argentina formerly followed a protectionist economic policy to promote inward development, economic activity was excessively regulated. Under a new strategy to encourage foreign trade, rules that obstructed foreign trade have been modified or eliminated. Further, permission is no longer required to import goods, the import tariff structure has been simplified and tariffs have been reduced. Taxes on exports have been almost eliminated. All restrictions and procedures that in the past slowed down the entry of capital and technology from abroad have been abolished. Changes in foreign investment regulations have eliminated obstacles to the inflow of capital into Argentina. RESTRICTIONS ON INTERNATIONAL INVESTMENTS. All restrictions on foreign investments have been lifted and foreign investment does not require any prior approval from the Argentine authorities. Although some remain in sensitive areas such as defense, telecommunications, and oil and gas. Profits may be freely transferred. STATE ASSISTANCE AND GRANTS Special incentives for certain activities and tax reimbursements on exports, among others, are granted under identical conditions to nationa... ... and its eight hypermarkets. Royal Ahold also has a large operation; the Dutch retailer is joint owner of 235 Disco supermarkets. Any improvement for Wal-Mart in Argentina rests on its ability to increase its size substantially and on the economy improving; the outlook for the latter is still suspect. The economy performed worse than expected last year and the outlook for this year, according to the International Monetary Fund, is for 2.5% gross domestic product growth. Interest rates have fluctuated wildly, but the prime lending rate was still in the upper teens at press time.The government has attempted to institute reforms that will stimulate the economy and restore growth. Bibliography Howell, Llewellyn D. and Chad*censored*, Brad, "Models of Political Risk for Foreign Investment and Trade," Columbia Journal of World Business, Fall 1994a. Levy, John B. and Yoon, Eunsang, "Methods of Country Risk Assessment for International Market - Entry Decision," Institute for the Study of Business Markets (ISBM), Report 11-1996. CNN- News Net Work/ business & Finance McGraw-Hill; International Business. e7th; p.191 www. Businessmonitor.co.uk World Bank / Argentina Opportunities for International Investors Essay -- Essays Papers Opportunities for International Investors ATTITUDES TOWARDS FOREIGN INVESTMENT Because the Foreign Investments Law and supplementary rules establish the principle of equal treatment for domestic and foreign investors, foreign investors enjoy the same rights and duties as Argentine investors. However, the government no longer grants special incentives. Argentina welcomes foreign investments, and its laws governing foreign investment are among the most liberal in the world. In general, Argentina encourages investments through a free-market policy and low income tax rates rather than through subsidies. The basic attitude towards foreign capital is very positive; all previously existing requirements concerning prior government approval of foreign investments have been eliminated. Argentina has traditionally been very hospitable to foreigners. The Argentine government is making active efforts to attract foreign investments. Foreign investments obviously have also played a very important role in the privatization process, referred to below. Domestic capital resources are not sufficient for economic development; the government therefore encourages the inflow of foreign investment. Because Argentina formerly followed a protectionist economic policy to promote inward development, economic activity was excessively regulated. Under a new strategy to encourage foreign trade, rules that obstructed foreign trade have been modified or eliminated. Further, permission is no longer required to import goods, the import tariff structure has been simplified and tariffs have been reduced. Taxes on exports have been almost eliminated. All restrictions and procedures that in the past slowed down the entry of capital and technology from abroad have been abolished. Changes in foreign investment regulations have eliminated obstacles to the inflow of capital into Argentina. RESTRICTIONS ON INTERNATIONAL INVESTMENTS. All restrictions on foreign investments have been lifted and foreign investment does not require any prior approval from the Argentine authorities. Although some remain in sensitive areas such as defense, telecommunications, and oil and gas. Profits may be freely transferred. STATE ASSISTANCE AND GRANTS Special incentives for certain activities and tax reimbursements on exports, among others, are granted under identical conditions to nationa... ... and its eight hypermarkets. Royal Ahold also has a large operation; the Dutch retailer is joint owner of 235 Disco supermarkets. Any improvement for Wal-Mart in Argentina rests on its ability to increase its size substantially and on the economy improving; the outlook for the latter is still suspect. The economy performed worse than expected last year and the outlook for this year, according to the International Monetary Fund, is for 2.5% gross domestic product growth. Interest rates have fluctuated wildly, but the prime lending rate was still in the upper teens at press time.The government has attempted to institute reforms that will stimulate the economy and restore growth. Bibliography Howell, Llewellyn D. and Chad*censored*, Brad, "Models of Political Risk for Foreign Investment and Trade," Columbia Journal of World Business, Fall 1994a. Levy, John B. and Yoon, Eunsang, "Methods of Country Risk Assessment for International Market - Entry Decision," Institute for the Study of Business Markets (ISBM), Report 11-1996. CNN- News Net Work/ business & Finance McGraw-Hill; International Business. e7th; p.191 www. Businessmonitor.co.uk World Bank / Argentina

Important of Education Essay

Education means considerably more than just teaching a student to read, write, and manipulate numbers. Computers, the Internet, and advanced electronic devices are becoming essential in everyday life and have changed the way information is gathered. How this new technology is utilized in the curriculum and managed by teachers will have an important role to play in widening the resource and knowledge base for all students. Technology affects the way teachers teach and students learn. To make the best use of information technology (IT), schools need a workable plan to fully integrate it into all aspects of the curriculum so students are taught how, why, and when to use technology to further enhance their learning. If a school does not have a clear plan of how and why it wishes to implement IT, then it runs the risk of wasting money. In schools today, nearly all classrooms have access to a computer. However, many schools mistake this as incorporating information technology into the curriculum. School staff need to research what IT is available and what would best serve the school’s purpose, not simply purchase the latest equipment. There should be a policy stating how IT is going to assist pupils’ development and what teachers want pupils to achieve (Reksten, 2000). Staff members need to be clear about what they want IT to do for them before they can start incorporating it into their lessons. The only way information technology is going to be useful to schools is if all staff members are well-informed and fully supported. It is the principal’s responsibility, and should be part of the school’s plan, to ensure that all staff are consulted about the changes, and that the change is carefully organised. Some teachers may be resistant, especially if they have not had much experience with computers, so training teachers is essential in implementing IT into the school curriculum. Staff members must feel involved in the process of acquiring technology, and in learning how to operate it, in order for them to increase their confidence in using IT as a curriculum tool. Teachers are only going to be able to incorporate IT into their lessons if they are competent users themselves (Reksten, 2000). In addition, teachers need to be aware that IT within the classroom is extremely flexible, but that they need to plan what purpose IT serves in each lesson. The skills a child learns are the important part of any lesson, and it is the same with technology. IT needs to be used and understood in all subjects in the same way as the ability to read is necessary for all subjects, and â€Å"must be used across the curriculum, in the same way that a pen and pencil are used in most subject areas† (Ager, 2000, p. 15). The best way to plan the use of IT in the classroom is to approach it as simply a learning tool that is more advanced (and more exciting) than the traditional pen and paper. It is vitally important for students to be taught the strategies for using IT. Children also need to be fully informed about the capabilities of IT before being asked to use it. Pupils should be aware that the contexts in which they use IT will change, and they need to know what the appropriate use of IT is and what is not. Whilst it is important that children learn to use IT effectively, teachers must emphasise that IT is not always suitable. According to Apter (1968), the danger is that the â€Å"computer dehumanizes people and inevitably leads them to act like machines themselves† (p. 58). Teachers must make sure they plan to use variety in their lessons. Too much IT instruction may be just as harmful to a child as not enough. The usefulness of IT in the classroom, as with any learning tool, depends on the innovation and imagination of the teacher. It is imperative, though, that the implementation of IT into a school is carefully planned. The current information explosion makes it essential that IT be used extensively within the classroom so children know how to use IT appropriately and effectively. Teachers must, therefore, be fully informed about what kinds of IT are available and whether or not they are appropriate for classroom use. School boards and teachers must therefore ensure that all staff have a clear plan about what they want their students to achieve through IT. The appropriate incorporation of IT into the classroom will broaden the minds and skills of students, allowing them to be better prepared for further technological advances.