Inner and Outer Meanings of Bible

By Singh M Parashar

This work has been dedicated to those Jews who were handed over to the Nazis. A bible is composed of good news and bad news. The divine Bible is infallible, and the human Bible is fallible (due to an absence of inner meanings). We should throw out all unscientific facts from the Bible. Torah is the journey from the temple to synagogue, from the priest to learned rabbis, and from revelations to reason.

Judaism is a change from the path of devotion to the path of knowledge and good deeds. Judaism tells us that God has no rival and God is greater than nature. Nature is the rival of God. Judaism says that God is the author of good and evil. Good is from God, and evil is from nature.

Marx wrongly believed in historical materialism. Historical events took place according to historical spiritualism. Geographical boundaries were changed again and again after the birth of a new religion or sect. The creator of a thing will always try to make use of the thing created by him. Infinite area of land on other planets is lying unused. Such a consideration causes us to say that the world is eternal. It is claimed that a woman with six or more breasts can descend on earth either by scientific means or by confining the circle of marriages within those families who give birth to two or more children at one time.

God is concerned with the spirit, and God is not concerned with physical body. The physical body of every man is fully under the control of the causal laws of nature. God and nature are not identical.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Xlibris UK
• Release date: Jan 11, 2018
• ISBN: 9781543488319

Singh M Parashar

Singh M Parashar was born in India in 1939 and he gained an Msc degree from Indore University . After working as a research officer for Forest Research Institute in Dehradun for five years , he moved to France for further training .

Book preview

Prayers and worship

Prayers amounts to a total self-surrender to God. Prayer is an absorption into God.

Aristotle said that there can be no friendship between a man and God. Theism tell us that God is a person and personal relations with God are possible.

Aristotle said that prayers and sacrifices are useless.

Jews frequently say : Thou, art, O Lord, our God.

Epicurus said that religion is a source of fear. Jews, muslims and Sikhs say that religion is a killer of fear.

Dewey regarded religion as an obstacle in the path of making a rational inquiry.

Taoists do not make prayers to Tao. During a small area of life a blind faith in God is superior to an effort made by making a rational inquiry.

Prayers are made with a belief in the supernatural powers of God. Feelings tell us that a man becomes pure and clean by making prayers to God. God is unknowable and our senses can not go beyond the world of phenomena.

Prayers provide a chance to have religious and social contact with the virtuous people of the society.

Men of all religions make prayers differently to one and same God. One and same God is called by various names by the followers of all religions. The God of idolaters and non-idolaters is one and same. God is called by the Sikhs as Waheguru (Wonderful Lord) and he is always unknowable. However, a contact with God is felt by making charity and prayers.

Jews give honor to their dead by making prayers for them.

Life is suffering starting from the cradle to grave and the journey of life becomes easy by turning to God.

The power of prayers is confined to the world of spirit and the power of prayers has no effect on the realm of matter. A man suffering from cancer can not be cured by making prayers. However, an internal strength is created by prayers and the unbearable pain becomes bearable.

Prayers are made by sitting, standing and reclining.

Smoking and drinking are done by people for overcoming anxiety, disorder and phobia. Prayer is the best solution for overcoming all problems of life. Past memories and fear are stored in an almond shaped area of the brain. Prayers produces a direct impact on this area of the brain.

Jewish and muslims take a break during their works and they assemble for making prayers individually as well as collectively. Collective prayers are useful in producing a sense of leadership and group unity. A sense of social pressure and social cohesion is created by a group prayers. The leaders of the prayer services become the guardian and fighter of moral.

The pretenders do not make prayer individually and they make prayers only in the synagogue with an aim to gain respect in the sight of other people. A sense of brotherhood and unity is created by group prayers.

Jews always rely on Tehillim (Psalm) in the time of troubles. A lofty state of ecstasy or exaltation is created by prayers. The worshippers forget their problems of life and they contemplate on the divine being. The caste system is destroyed by the collective prayer. During group prayer a king and a beggar stands in the same row and a sense of equality is created in the hearts of all worshippers. A feeling of equality, love and brotherhood is enjoyed by the rich and poor by standing in the same row. In the eyes of God all are equal In the eyes of Nature all are not equal. Jews are more respectful than the brahmins and they do not treat men of other castes as untouchables.

Prayers are made after taking a bath. Hence, physical and moral purity is created by standing, bending and bowing. The health of a man is improved by the various postures made by the worshipper.

With the help of prayers a man becomes steadfast and peace of mind is created during the storms and stresses of life. During wars and sickness God is the giver of inner strength and the unbearable pain becomes bearable by the help given by God. Mohammed asked muslims to face danger by making prayers to God. By making prayers a man does not feel himself as worthless and alone.

During wars the name of God is uttered in a loud voice and great bravery is shown by uttering the name of God.

Anxiety, fear, depression, inferiority complex, frustration and deprivation are best destroyed by seeking refuge in God. During prayers a man feels that he is not alone in the world and God is the helper of the helpless. People rejected by society can get solace by turning to God.

Prayers are very useful during the storms and stresses of life. Self-confidence is best created by making prayers to God. Solace provided by God is superior to the solace provided by friends and relatives. Peace of mind is created by making prayers at deathbed and the fear of death is reduced or eliminated. People suffering from suicidal impulse say : Life is not worth living. Nietzsche asked people to say yes to life. Depression and the suicidal impulse are best destroyed by making prayers to God. The bodily gesture of bowing is done by all men of all religions and God is respected by bowing.

There are inward meanings of bowing and other bodily gestures. Pride is best destroyed by bowing before God. Nietzsche asked people not to bow before a higher authority.

Character is built by prayers, religious education, social-control and family influence.

God is a psychologically needed being for overcoming the ups and down of life.

Self-control, inner confidence and moral purity are created by prayers.

Hence, a blind belief in God without making a rational inquiry is better than atheism.

Spinoza asked people to seek an intellectual love with God. God is always unknowable and we have no alterternative except to have a blind faith in God. However, reason is like the walking staff of a blind man and we should accept the supremacy of reason in all other fields of life.

It is always good to make prayers without having any doubts in the existence of God.

During hard times people are deserted by their close relative and friends. We can overcome such a situation by saying : O Lord, I am absolutely alone in the world and except thou nobody is mine. Worshippers always feel that they are absolutely dependent on God or supernatural being and they enjoy inner stability. Saint Augustine asked people to believe in order to understand. God is unknowable and inconceivable. Hence, we should believe in order to enjoy peace of mind. During prayers we should believe that an imaginary figure of God is standing before us. It is claimed that during a state of ecstasy the worshippers enjoy a vision of God with their inner eyes. The worshippers say that the inner illumination is from God. God is an ethereal being. An inner strength and stability is created by faith in God.

God is most Merciful and he will forgive our serious sins. During prayers worshippers confess their past sins and God is also requested to save them new sins in their future lives.

A sincere repentance is a necessary condition for getting a pardon from God. After prayers the worshippers feel that their sins have been washed by God.

There is no priestcraft in judaism. Jews firmly believe that the remission of sins can only be done directly by God. Sins can be erased only by a divine pardon and not by a human pardon. Christians say that our sins can be pardoned by a priest and they prostrate themselves at the feet of the bishop or priest. Our sins are erased by making prayers and sincere repentance.

During prayers christians say : Father do not put us to test.

Prayers should be made to God only for providing right guidance. The value of prayer is decreased by seeking from God bread and other things of this phenomenal life. It is good to ask from God a knowledge of hidden things, mysterious and transcendent knowledge The secrets behind the transcendent curtain are known only to God. Our senses can not go beyond the transcendent wall.

During prayers God is praised, thanked and his metaphysical and ethical attributes are mentioned. Instead of begging bread from God we should ask God for a union of our souls with the Universal Soul. Nirvana is an absorption into Brahman. Only virtuous people will enjoy a union with Brahman and the unjust will perish for ever.

The inspired people were always quick in making prayers. During danger we should seek a refuge in God.

We lose nothing by seeking from God wealth, health and other things for other people. Prayers are superior to sacrifices and other rituals. People make prayers with an aim to please God and get their wishes fulfilled.

Oaths and vows

Vow is a solemn promise or pledge or personal commitment especially made to God or a god declaring himself to act, to do service and lead a pure way of life. Marriage vows causes a man to remain faithful to his wife. Worshippers can overcome prostitution, gambling, drinking, smoking and other bad habits by taking an oath during their prayers.

Oath is a ritualistic declaration and it is generally based on an appeal to God.

Oath is a promise made to God with a belief that those who swore falsely will be punished by God or some nonhuman agency. The value of prayer is lost by making a bargain with God.

The hypocrites do not believe that vengeance will be taken by God. The truth-tellers are God fearing people and the liars are believers by their mouths and unbelievers by their hearts. Believers take oath and tell God that they will please him by making sacrifices etc. God is cheated by the hypocrites.

Evil doers make prayers in a loud voice and they make false oaths only to deceive other people. The hypocrites only make a show by prayers, charity, fasting, building temples etc that is, for for the sake of publicity stunt. God can not be deceived by the hypocrites.

An oath is a verbal act. Oath is taken by stretching forth the hands forward or towards the sky or idol etc.

The witness puts his hand on a holy book and says : I swore to speak the truth. Oaths are also taken in the courts of law. Jews take oath on a scroll of Torah or on Pentateuch with a belief that by taking false oath they will have to give answer on the Day of Judgment.

Prayers to a personal God :-

Prayers can only be made only to a conscious being who can hear and reply our prayers. Prayers can not be made to an unconscious being or force like the gravitational force of earth. Prayers made to a personal God are more effective than the prayers made to an impersonal God, Force or Principle. We can make prayers only to a being who is sensitive to our prayers.

Hence, a prayer made to a being is better than a prayer made to a non-being. The not-itself can not come out of Itself. A living being is superior to a non-living force.

Bhagavad Gita also asked people to make prayers to a personal Absolute.

Prayers are made single-mindedly.

Muslims, Hindus and Sikhs put their shoes outside the house of prayers and they sit on the ground for making prayers.

Jews and christians sit on comfortable seats kept inside the places of worship. Muslims, hindus and Sikh do not make use of chairs inside holy places of worship.

A silence prayer is superior to a prayer made in a loud noise. The air around a worshipper is purified by making prayers. A mental reflection or quietism is like an inner discussion with God. Reflective thoughts on God are more useful than prayers made by speaking with mouth.

During meditation attention is directed on God with a clear-cut goal. A contemplation on God is more useful than uttering words by mouth. A mystical ecstasy is created by a silence prayer and the worshipper feels himself as standing outside his body.

The mystics do not utter prayers with their mouths and they seek a communion with God by remaining quiet.

A holy and mystical ecstasy is felt by prayers and the heart of the worshipper is filled with a feeling of exaltation. There is an intuitive contact between the worshippers and God.

Jews and muslims are the people of the books. Hindus, Sikhs are also people of the books. People remember God by counting names of God on beads. People of the beads are equal and brothers.

Prayers made after drinking are prohibited by Koran. Due to drinking a man does not understand the meanings of prayers. It is good to make prayers in in vernacular than to make prayers in hebrew, arabic and other languages. Prayers can be made on behalf of a mourner.

The reason of the heart said ; God hears and answers our prayers. The reason of the head made no opposition to the argument given by the heart.

Saint Augustine said :Believe in order to understand. God is always unknowable and we should believe inder to enjoy a peace of mind.

Prayers are approved by the feelings. Judaism expects from every jew to have an unquestioning faith in God and a firm conviction in the existence of a divine order and reality.

Sometimes prayers are rejected by reason. During prayers we should kill reason.

The heart said :Feelings are superior to reason. Rousseau and Pascal believed that feelings are superior to reason. Kant and Hegel believed that reason is superior to feelings.

A lack of reason may cause a man to become emotional and unstable. A lack of reason causes a terrorist to kill the followers of other religions.

A feeling of exaltation is created by prayers. During payer a worshipper is absorbed in mystical ecstasy and a union of one’s soul with the Universal Soul takes place. During prayers an intimate contact with God is felt by the worshipper. Prayer is a talk with God.

The aim of police and a priest is to save the society from crimes. Prayers and moral education are useful in character building.

There is no God in buddhism. However, due to deification of buddha a belief in God is accepted by the buddhists.

Man is superior to animals due his religious nature.

Man is also a political animal. A religious man is superior to a political man.

The Jewish life is full of devotion and worship of God. Judaism is based on an unshakable faith, trust and loyalty to God. Throughout the history Jews suffered hardships. During their exile and holocaust jews were kept alive by their prayers.

During exile jews maintained their contact with God by the path of knowledge, the path of devotion and the path of doing good deeds.

The jewish prayer is called as Tefilah (shemoneh esrei) that is, to judge oneself in the eyes of God and society. Jews remember God before eating, drinking, wearing new clothes and all other activities of daily life.

During prayers Jews and muslims kneel down on their knees. Judaism is submission and surrender to God.

Jews say : "O Lord, Thou are blessed.

May the enemies of God who deliberately indulge in sins be destroyed and ruined."

The aim of jewish prayers is show that we depend on the mercy of God.

Prayers are made with a feeling that a living God is standing before us.

Jews believe that long prayers are not liked by God.

Jews also seek pardon from their victim before seeking a pardon from God.

Judaism was started with two daily prayers and later on a system of making three daily prayers was accepted by the jews.

The final form of prayer was created by the men of the Great Assembly in the 5th century B.C.E.

God is in the blood of hebrew people. The God all religions is one and same. The God of judaism is a national God. God is a universal God.

During the jewish prayers ethical and metaphysical attributes of God are mentioned. God is regarded by the jews as Holy. The character of a man is improved by mentioning the ethical attributes of God. Jews frequently say : Thou art, O Lord, our God.

Jews firmly believe that God is caring and communicating with the hebrew people.

An inner purification is created by listening and reading Torah.

During prayers a belief in divine providence is confirmed by the jews.

God is thanked and praised by the petitioner. A jewish prayer is made to God alone. A personal relationship with God is created by the jewish prayer.

Prayers are recited by the jews with a fixed formulae and beliefs.

God is thanked by the jews for the favor given by God. God is always thanked after taking meal. For the jews prayer is a personal relationship with God and blessings are recited by the jews. During a jewish prayer the unity of God is confirmed by the jews. During prayers a worshipper and God become one. Buddhism also tell us that during mystical experience a man realizes his identity with God The same prayer is repeated every day.

The aim of prayers is to put mitzvah into practice. Practice is more important than theory.

Use of new words in the prayers produces new energy.

During the 2nd century jews started making prayers for the destruction of the heretics.

A prayer for right guidance is always superior to prayers mae for all other things.

Jews make prayer for the return and unification of all the exiled jews.

Jews also make prayer for the rebuilding of their temple and restarting the sacrificial system.

During prayers curse to satan are given by the jews and muslims. Buddhism tell us that the Ultimate Reality has no opposite. Hence, a belief in Satan is false.

Shema

Shema is a jewish prayer and it is recited at home. Shema is recited in the morning and during the night. Shema has been prescribed by Torah. Shema is also recited in the evening prayer. Prayers are recited by the orthodox jews throughout the day.

Shema in judaism is a declaration of the basic jewish beliefs. The absolute unity of God is declared by the jews and all other basic beliefs of judaism are confirmed by jewish prayers.

Shema is also the name given to the articles of faith and beliefs of judaism.

The number of prayers and times of shema prayers have been specified by the holy books of judaism (Deut.6:4-9, Deut. 11:13-21, Num. 15: 37-41)

The jews say : Hear, Israel, the Lord is our God, the Lord is One. Blessed is His name and illustrious is his kingdom. And you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength. These are the words prescribed by me to you today and you shall preserve these words in your heart. You shall teach these words carefully to your children, you shall tell them when you are at home, and when you are walking outside your home, and when you lie down and when you get up. And you shall bind them as an indication on your hand, and they shall be on forehead between the eyes. And you shall write them on the doorposts of your houses and on your gates.

Kavanah (concentration)

During prayers the mind of a worshipper is distracted by the thoughts of the affairs of the world.

The intention has to be focused on God. God is in the blood of every observant jew. Attention from God is diverted by the worldly activities. Hence, for a full day has been reserved every week for remembering the name of God. The day of sabbath is reserved for the spiritual growth. Plotinus said that the aim of life is to enjoy a mystical union with the One.

The synagogue:-

After the destruction of temple jews were living in captivity in Babylonia. The temple was replaced by the synagogues as a place for making prayers and reading the holy scriptures.

The design of Islamic mosque and the christian churches is similar to the design of the synagogues. The temples are the places of worships and these are called as synagogues.

The ark :- The ark of synagogue is like a cupboard or a hollow place in a wall for containing the Torah scrolls. The ark has got doors and and a curtain. The curtain is called as parokhet and this curtain is similar to the curtain which existed in the ancient Temple. The ark is placed in a the direction of jerusalem. Jews believe that God is present inside the ark. The ark has got historical connection with the Covenant and the Decalogue. Jews also believe that victory is given to them by the holy ark. The covenant ark is always surrounded by a beautiful curtain.

Shul is a Yiddish word and it is used for indicating the jewish place of worship. Shul is also regarded as a house of learning.

Ner Tamid (the lamp, a candelabrum) :-

A lamp is placed near the ark of covenant contained in the synagogue. The lamp indicate the commandment to produce light in the Tabernacle. This is to indicate the everlasting flame.

It is a symbolic expression of the the commandment to keep eternal divine light burning in the Tabernacle. (Ex. 27:20-21).

Tabernacle is the festival of sukkot observed in memory of the wandering of the jews in the desert. The menorah (candelabrum) is a symbol of the old menorah of the temple.

Bimah(pedestal):-Torah scrolls are placed on the bimah.

Menorah is a 9 branched candelabrum (lamp) kept inside the synagogue for containing candles. Menorah is used with great zeal during the chanukah (festival of lights). Menorah is lit for seeking the blessings and the blessings of light are recited. Shammus is the main candle which is used for lighting the remaining candles.

The skullcap (yarmulke or Kippah) :-

The skullcaps or hats are used by jews for covering their heads during the prayer service. The skullcaps are used by the jews and the non-jews.

The skullcap is also a token of respect given to other male worshippers.

The skullcap is called as Yarmulke(in Yiddish).

God is respected by the use of a skulL cap and a fear of God is also created by the skull cap. Sikhs make use of turbans for getting protection from God.

According to jewish traditions head coverings are used by married women only.

Throughout the day a lace (chapel hat) is always used by every jew.

Jews also wear a tallit (prayer shawl) during their morning prayer and the Yom Kippur prayer.

During the afternoon prayer and the evening prayer the tallit is used by Hazzan alone.

Tallits used inside the Ashkenazi synagogues are prescribed only by married male.

The position of women in synagogue :-

Women and men sit separately in the orthodox synagogues and their separation has been prescribed by the mitzvot or commandments.

The dress code :-Jewish women in conservative synagogues make use of long skirt and long sleeves.

The temple rituals are performed by the learned l sages.

The Musaf

Musaf is an extra or additional prayer made on sabbath and other jewish holidays

Minyan

Minyan is the quorum that is, the number of worshippers required to be present during the worship ceremony.

The individual and group prayer (congregational prayers):-

During the early days of judaism the form of prayer was composed by every individual man on the basis of his own feelings. After the Babylonian exile (586 B.C.) a fixed form of prayer was prescribed by the Great Assembly.

The group prayer is more important than the individual prayer. A sense of social cohesion or unity is created by the group prayer.

The prayers have no link with the temple of jerusalem.

A great importance to group prayer is given by the jews. Minyan is the minimum number of the members that are required for assembly. A group is necessary for reciting some types of prayers. During a group prayer verses from Torah are read At least ten worshippers are necessary for making a group prayer. The quorum of ten should be increased as it will lead to a social love and unity.

Women in pregnancy are exempted from taking part in the quorum of 10 people.

The minyan is conducted by a male priest.

The use of music during the prayer service :-

Sikhs, Jews and the follower of Confucius make use of music for performing the prayer service Buddhist monks and nuns abstain from music and perfumes. Plato believed that character is improved by music.

The morning prayer :-

1 During the morning prayer a sacredness is created by making use of Tallit and Tefillin. During the morning prayer blessings are recited.

During the morning blessings worshipper says : O Lord, Thou art a living and eternal king of the universe and I am thankful to you for giving me my soul. Your mercy is infinite.

A prayer is generally started by saying : Blessed art thou.

Great importance is given by the jews to the blessings for Torah.

Torah has been divided into 54 parts and one part of Torah is read every week. The old history of Temple is remembered by reading the Torah and the commentaries made by the rabbis.

2 Pesukei d’Zimra (the verses of praise taken from Psalm) is the next part of the morning prayer.

3 Shema blessings deals with passages.

4 During the Shemoneh Esrei prayer God is praised and the worshipper beg for a sound health, prosperity, rain in time, and the return of the exiled jews.

5 Hallel means to praise God (Psalm 113--118).

6 During the morning prayer Torah reading is made by the worshippers.

Additional Torah readings are made on mondays and thursdays.

The last part of the morning prayer is completed by reciting Alenu and the Kaddish prayer.

7 The Aleinu prayer is a closing prayer and it is uttered at a time when a service is about to end. This prayer is based on Psalms.

The kaddish prayer is in Aramaic. During the Kaddish prayer the worshipper says : May His lofty name become Great and holy in the world created by Him. May He be praised, magnified, exalted and He may become omnipotent Many people say that Kaddish is a mourner’s prayer".

The afternoon prayer service (mincha)

1 Ashrei (Psalm 145)

2 Shemoneh Esrei Shemoneh Esrei is also called as Tefilah or Amidah (the standing prayer).

3 The Aleinu

Mincha (the afternoon prayer service) has to be finished before sunset.

Some jews begin the mincha prayer with verses from Psalm (84) and with Korbanot (Numbers 28).

The evening prayer (marrive)

All the jewish prayers are made with minds focussed on Torah.

A longer period of prayer is observed on weekdays that is, during the saturday morning service.

The period of sermon is completed between thirty minutes and 3 hours.

Jews start making prayers immediately after finding anything unusual. Jews face the misfortunes by making prayers.

Daven (to pray) :-

Daven is a Yiddish word and it is used for indicating prayer. Prayers are made three times a day and blessing are uttered over various activities of daily life.

The Yiddish people regard prayers as a divine commandment for prayer.

Daven (prayer) is used to bless the Lord. It is one of the most important prayer and it is not performed in the synagogue. This prayer has been prescribed by the commandments of Bible.

There are four blessings in Birkat Ha-Mazon (blessing of food that is, grace after meal).

These are called as Birkat Hazan, Birkat -Aretz, Birkat Ha-Tov and Birkat Yerushalayun.

The festival prayer is marked by the Torah reading.

Elul is the sixth month of the jewish calendar.

Elul is a period of regret for sins and becoming ready for Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur.

Teshuvah (repentance) is very important in the life of every observant jew.

During prayers the blessings of God are mentioned. A concentration on God that is, introspection (look within prayer) is more important than uttering words by mouth. Prayers indicate that our relationship with God are personal.

From sacrifices to prayer :

During the Babylonian exile the jews were unable to make sacrifice in the temple Sacrifices were replaced by the prayers and the jews were asked to please God by their mouths or lips and not by the sacrifices of the bulls. This was great wisdom and act of reformation.

A prayer house is better than a slaughterhouse. By the old practice the priest is a butcher who kills animals. Hosea asked people to replace additional sacrifices by additional prayers.

Barukh means to praise.

Berakhah means blessings.

During the Berakhah blessings the worshipper enjoys a talk with God. The worshippers say : We seek permission from God for allowing us to use of the goods of the world.

The Berakhah blessing is recited by saying Blessed art thou O Lord, King of the universe

All the blessings are directed on God. The Berakhah blessing is recited in the synagogue and in the homes.

Berakhot (blessings)

There are three types of Berakhot.

1 The first blessing is recited before an enjoyment of the goods of the world. Jews believe that God has made us holy by his commandments and God has also prescribed the commandment for us. There are biblical commandment and the commandment made by the rabbis.

A Berakhot can be recited over any event of life.

By a Berakhot it is confirmed that God is the author of good and evil.

A Berakhot is also recited over unfortunate events like the death of a man. The judgment given by God is accepted by the worshipper. After the death of a man the close relative of a dead muslim says ; I am pleased with the will of God. Death is created by Nature. Death is not created by God.

2 The 2nd blessing is uttered during the work of a mitzvah (commandment) like lighting of candles, washing of hands etc.

3 The 3rd blessing is uttered for celebrating important events.

By the Berakhot it is confirmed that God is the producer of all goods. God is praised by the Berakhah.

Beit-Reish-Kaf means knee. God is honored by bending the knees and bowing

Birkat Ha-Mazon is composed of 4 blessings Three blessings were created during the life of Ezra and the fourth blessing was created after the destruction of Temple.

Birkat Ha-Mazon also include some extra blessings and Psalm.

1 Birkat Hazan (the blessings for giving food) :- During this blessing God is thanked for providing food to every creature on earth. A belief in this blessing is rejected by the famines in the world. Every animal of prey will also deny this blessing.

2 Birkat Ha-Aretz (the blessings for giving land) :- God is thanked for liberating the jews from their slavery in egypt and giving them the land of Israel.

Birkat Yerushalayim (the blessing given for jerusalem) :- Blessings are given for the reconstruction of jerusalem and the arrival of Messiah.

Birkat Ha-Tov v’Ha-Maytiv (the blessing for doing right and abstaining from wrong):-

During this blessing the jews say that God is all-good and good deeds are done by God

1 Nature is the producer of food and all other things. God is not the producer of food and other things.

2 Nature is the king of the universe. God is not the king of the universe. God is the king of spirits.

3 God is not the author of evil. Nature is the author of good and evil.

The leader of the jewish worship ceremony says : May the Lord protect you and give you peace, light and countenance (calm).

The prayer book (siddur)

This is a single book containing commentaries and instructions concerning all the 4 daily prayers. Generally prayers are made 3 times a day that is a morning prayer, an afternoon prayer and an evening prayer. Before the destruction of temple prayers were done by offering of flour and sacrifices.

Jewish prayers are full with the commandments of Torah and the jews frequently say. Hear O Israel (Deut.6;4) Priestly blessing (Numbers 6:24-26)

The Shemoneh Esrei contains 18 blessings and it is called as the standing prayer.

(Numbers 6:24)

During prayer jews say : You shall serve God with your whole heart. ‘Deut.11:13)

A service done to society is a service done to God.

Machzor is an important prayer book used on Yom Kippur and Rosh Hashanah holidays.

It should be noted that during the prayer service the body is regularly moved back and forth by the ultra- orthodox jews belonging to the haredi sect.

Some people say that the concentration is destroyed by the movement of the body.

The Kabbalistic prayer :-

The kabbalistic school regards prayer as a talk with God. God hears and answers our prayers. It is claimed that the mystical forces of God are always active in the world. Deism says that God has no link with the world. We can detect the gravitational, magnetic, and other forces of nature. God can be felt or conceived. However, God is beyond our sense perception and he is always incomprehensible.

The kabbalistic says : Honor to the holy name of God. The kabbalistic prayer is composed of a mystical part and a rational part.

The kabbalistic : O Lord, send your kingdom. May people put into practice what is wanted by you, O Lord, give us food which is needed by us. O Lord, forgive our sins. O Lord, do not put us to a tough test. O Lord, save us from evil doers.

It should be noted that the jewish prayer is started with a declaration ‘O Lord,’ Blessed art Thou".

During the Aramaic prayer God is praised and the worshipper say : May the name of God be exalted. May the whole world be purified. He created the universe in a way liked by Him. May His rule be established quickly during your existence and during the existence of Israel. May his name be blessed forever. He is almighty, exalted and worthy of praise.

Jews make prayers for getting help and protection from God. Jews seek from God worldly things that is, plenty, rain in time, sound health and a reunion of all those jews who were expelled from Israel.

The law of Moses is set down in full for the second time in the Pentateuch.

Numbers starts with a declaration of the basic beliefs and principles of judaism

Benedictions (Psalms, hymns, and passages from bible) is the invocation of the divine blessings at the end of religious service.

A summary of jewish prayers :-

1 Chanukkah candle lighting blessings

2 The kaddish of the mourner

3 Havdalah ritual

4 Fixing Mezuzah

5 Shema

6 Sabbath ritual

7 Blessings of the Rosh Hashanah

8 Blessings of the Sukkot

9 Donning Tallit and Tefillin

10 The blessings given to sun and other phenomena of nature

Jews and muslims believe that all men are equal before God. Any jew can lead the prayer service. All jews and non-jews are equal before God.

The unjust system of PIidvon Ha-Ben (redemption of the first born son) :-

Judaism contains a religious practice of the redemption (release from sins) of the first born son by performing his works in the temple.

In the eyes of God and in the Nature the first born and the last born are equal.

Jews fully know that the character of a child depends on the parental example and influence.

Jews believe that the first born children and fruits of the tree or harvest belong to God. The firstborn son has to work as a priest and he has to discharge other duties in the temple. The tribe of Levi abstained from the worship of calf. Hence, the firstborn of Levites were chosen by God to work as priests and other functionaries(Numbers 8:14-18). On the 31st day after the birth the newly born male child is redeemed by a kohein that is, by paying a small amount of money.

This ritual is an act of injustice to the child.

People engaged in the religious service of synagogue :-

1 Tzaddic

Tzaddic is a the holy man who has attained spiritual perfection. Tzaddic means a just and noble man gifted with mystical powers.

2 Rebbe (grand rabbi)

Rebbe is the chief religious master of the Chasidic sect. Unfortunately a man becomes a Rebbe on his hereditary basis. A Robbe is the judge in disputes concerning the Chasidic sect.

3 Levi

Levi is a man who is the descendent of the tribe of Levites. A Levi is like a brahman of hinduism whose main duties are confined to worship and conducting the affairs of temples. Levites are also given the title of aliyah and they recite the blessings of Torah.

4 Kohein (priest) is a descendant of Aaron and he is the first chief priest in the synagogue. His duties are confined to conducting the rites and rituals in the temple.

The high priest is the head of a priesthood. Before the 6th century B.C. no central authority existed in judaism. The second temple came into existence in 516 B. C. and the chief priest of jerusalem was appointed as the leader of the theocracy. The law of Moses was changed and the office of the high priest became a hereditary of the family of Moses.

There is a system of hereditary priesthood in judaism, hinduism and Parsees. It is claimed that the Kohein is a descendant of Aaron. Aaron was selected by God at the moment of making the golden calf. The ritual of making sacrifices and other ritual in the temple were conducted by Kohein. The kohein is appointed as aliyah on sabbath and the blessings over Torah are recited by him. After the destruction of temple the Kohanim became non-active priests.

5 Shammus is a man who looks after the synagogue.

6 Cantor is a holy a man who leads the prayer service in synagogue and the jewish liturgy is read by him. The ritual of worship ceremony in a prescribed form is performed by him.

The prayer service can be led by any man of good character and gifted with a good voice. He fully knows the prayers

7 Chazzan

The Torah and the Haftarah reading (a reading from Prophets) are chanted by the chazzan (cantor). During the prayer service the congregation is guided by the cantor of the congregation. The bar mitzvah ceremony can not be performed without a music.

The wedding ceremony is also conducted by a chazzan. The funeral ceremony is also conducted by a chazzan.

8 Maftir

Maftir is a man who recite the last portion of Torah reading and full haftarah reading that is, a reading of prophets following the reading from the Pentateuch in synagogue on sabbath and holidays

9 Rabbi

Rabbi is a learned judge who gives judgment on matters dealing with jewish law. It is a matter of great pleasure to note that female rabbis are being accepted by modern judaism.

A Rabbi is not a professional priest. A rabbi is a sage well known for his wisdom, experience and judgment and he is a leader of the synagogue. Rabbi is a scholar of halakhah (jewish law), traditions and other spiritual affairs.

Rabbi is a religious teacher, scholar and judge in solving religious disputes.

The holy rituals can be performed by any man.

9 Semikhah

Semikhah is a rabbinical certificate that grants the holder a power to reply the questions and make judgement on disputes. dealing with jewish law.

10 Gabba

Gabba is a person who offers his services by his own free will and he invites people for Torah readings and the prayer service. He corrects the pronouncing and chanting of the reader. Gabbi selects the reader(aliyah) of Torah. Gabbi is highly respected man.

Holy water

According to the Jewish Mosaic law all the ritually unclean people were to be purified by sprinkling on their hands and faces.

The direction of prayer in Islam :-

Jews make prayers towards Jerusalem. During the earlier days muslims used to make prayers towards jerusalem. Later on the direction of prayer was changed by Mohammed. Muslims make prayers in the direction of Mecca. Muslims kneel down and worship God and they borrowed their worship ceremony from judaism.

In modern judaism the leader of prayer service keeps his face towards the congregation. People In the orthodox synagogues the congregation can see only the back of the leader of the prayer service. Mohammed said : Wherever you turn there is a face of Allah.

The importance of Music in judaism :-

liturgical melodies are expressed in