This pioneering study examines the process of reasoning in Islamic law. Some of the key questions addressed here include whether sacred law operates differently from secular law, why laws change or stay the same and how different cultural and historical settings impact the development of legal rulings. In order to explore these questions, the author examines the decisions of thirty jurists from the largest legal tradition in Islam: the Hanafi school of law. He traces their rulings on the question of women and communal prayer across a very broad period of time - from the eighth to the eighteenth century - to demonstrate how jurists interpreted the law and reconciled their decisions with the scripture and the sayings of the Prophet. The result is a fascinating overview of how Islamic law has evolved and the thinking behind individual rulings.

We Sing We Stay Together (Cantamos y Permanecemos Juntos): El libro Plegarias Del Servicio Matutino del Shabbat es un libro de plegarias para acompanar el canto en el servicio de culto del Shabbat (sabado) por la manana, con texto transliterado a caracteres del alfabeto latino, traduccion y explicacion del servicio de culto. Su objetivo principal es simplificar al maximo el aprendizaje de las oraciones, como soporte de ayuda para escuchar y cantar con el CD de 64 canciones del mismo nombre; pero tambien constituye, por derecho propio, una herramienta de aprendizaje que explica el significado de las palabras y del servicio de culto. Nuestras plegarias judias son bellas canciones de amor, llenas de bondad, afecto, adoracion, esperanza, amabilidad y generosidad. Son nuestro ADN aunque no las conozcamos, porque estas plegarias, nuestra religion, han moldeado al pueblo judio: nuestra manera de pensar y educacion, quienes somos y que representamos. El judaismo implica ser bueno y positivo para uno mismo, la familia, la comunidad y el mundo en general - todo por respeto y amor a Hashem. Me llena de gratitud, humildad y orgullo. Nuestro legado es una bendicion intelectual, cultural, espiritual y religiosa, pero necesitamos un acceso facil. Nunca pude participar ni aun menos disfrutar del servicio matutino del Shabbat, pero adoraba esos momentos en que toda la comunidad se reunia y cantaba plegarias cortas con melodias conmovedoras. No habia suficiente, necesitabamos mas canto, !mucho mas! La comunidad es cuestion de familia y amigos, y todos somos amigos: lo dice incluso una de nuestras plegarias. Nuestras oraciones reclaman ser cantadas con jubilo, clara y armoniosamente. Las plegarias comunales buscan la pertenencia, compartir, y eso solo es posible si todos nos unimos como iguales; necesitamos palabras claramente articuladas, faciles de aprender y agradables de cantar. Dedico este proyecto de melodizar las plegarias del servicio matutino del Shabbat y de escribir un libro de plegarias para acompanar el canto a todos los que aman y desean la continuidad judia, el Judaismo, la Tora y el estado-nacion del pueblo judio, Israel; y asimismo a todos nuestros maravillosos amigos, los justos entre las naciones. Acordaos de recordar que cuando cantamos juntos, permanecemos juntos. AM ISRAEL CHAI - el pueblo de Israel vive. Con amor y esperanza para nuestros hijos, Richard Collis

A celebration of the voices of women of color in prayer Women of color pray and have prayed out of necessity for survival, out of love for the Divine and because we believe in the power of prayer. Prayer has been the prevailing force behind the education of our children, protection and courage for our men, hope for our daughters and the balm that heals sorrows. —from the Introduction Prayers by women around the world—from China and Japan, to Syria and Ghana—to African American, Asian American, Native American and Hispanic women in the United States including: Teresa Palomo Acosta Yolanda Adams Rabi’a Al-Adawiyya Paula Gunn Allen Savitri Bess Mary McLeod Bethune Irene I. Blea Sandra Cisneros Marian Wright Edelman Rachelle Ferrell Monique Greenwood Joy Harjo Linda Hogan Patricia Locke Janice Mirikitani Toni Morrison Naomi Quinonez Della Reese Cathy Song Susan L. Taylor Sojourner Truth Harriet Tubman Iyanla Vanzant Phillis Wheatley CeCe Winans Empress Yamatohime ... and many others This beautiful collection of prayers will take you on a journey into the spiritual walk of women of color around the world—including Asia, the Middle East and Africa—as well as Native American, African American, Asian American and Hispanic women in the United States. Through these prayers, poetry, lyrics, meditations and affirmations, you will share in the strong and undeniable connection that women of color share with God. As you delve into the words of unwavering faith, perseverance, resistance, celebration and communion with God and family that fill each page, you will find your ideas about prayer challenged and your own prayer life inspired and renewed.

What does it mean to be modern? This study regards the concept of 'society' as foundational to modern self-understanding. Identifying Arabic conceptualizations of society in the journal al-Manar, the mouthpiece of Islamic reformism, the author shows how modernity was articulated from within an Islamic discursive tradition. The fact that the classical term umma was a principal term used to conceptualize modern society suggests the convergence of discursive traditions in modernity, rather than a mere diffusion of European concepts.

Nous Chantons Nous Restons Ensemble (We Sing We Stay Together): Prieres du service du matin de Shabbat est un recueil de prieres a chanter pour le service a la synagogue du matin de Shabbat (samedi), tres facile a utiliser, avec une translitteration en caracteres romains, une traduction et une explication du service. Son principal objectif est de faciliter au possible l'apprentissage des prieres en ecoutant et en chantant sur les 64 pistes musicales du CD du meme nom ; mais il represente aussi, en lui-meme, un outil didactique qui donne la signification des mots et du service. Nos prieres juives sont de beaux chants d'amour, pleines de bonte, d'affection, d'adoration, d'espoir, de bienveillance et de generosite. Elles sont notre ADN, meme si nous ne les connaissons pas, car ces prieres, notre religion, ont faconne le peuple juif, notre facon de penser, notre education, qui nous sommes et ce que nous representons. Le judaisme c'est etre bon et positif envers soi-meme, la famille, la communaute, le monde en general - tout ceci par respect et par amour pour Hashem. Cela me remplit de gratitude, d'humilite et de fierte. Notre heritage est une benediction intellectuelle, culturelle, spirituelle et religieuse - mais nous avons besoin d'un acces facile. Je n'ai jamais pu prendre part, encore moins prendre plaisir, a un service du matin de Shabbat, mais j'aimais ces moments ou la communaute se rassemble et chante quelques courtes prieres aux melodies touchantes. Il n'y en avait simplement pas assez, il nous fallait plus de chants, bien plus ! La communaute tourne autour de la famille et des amis, et nous sommes tous amis, c'est meme ecrit dans l'une de nos prieres. Nos prieres demandent a etre chantees avec beaucoup de joie, clairement et harmonieusement. Les prieres communes servent a renforcer les liens, a partager, ce qui n'est possible que si nous pouvons tous participer de facon egale, et pour ce faire il nous faut des paroles clairement enoncees qui soient faciles a apprendre et agreables a chanter. Je dedie cet ouvrage de mise en musique des prieres du matin de Shabbat et de redaction d'un recueil des paroles de ces prieres a tous ceux qui aiment et se soucient de la Continuite Juive, de la Torah et de l'Etat-Nation du Peuple Juif, Israel ; ainsi qu'a tous nos merveilleux amis, les justes parmi les nations. Souvenez-vous de vous souvenir que lorsque nous chantons ensemble, nous restons ensemble. AM ISRAEL CHAI - le peuple d'Israel vit. Avec amour et espoir pour nos enfants, Richard Collis.

Elegant, passionate, and filled with the love of God's creation, Abraham Joshua Heschel's "The Sabbath" has been hailed as a classic of Jewish spirituality ever since its original publication-and has been read by thousands of people seeking meaning in modern life. In this brief yet profound meditation on the meaning of the Seventh Day, Heschel introduced the idea of an "architecture of holiness" that appears not in space but in time Judaism, he argues, is a religion of time: it finds meaning not in space and the material things that fill it but in time and the eternity that imbues it, so that "the Sabbaths are our great cathedrals."

The Shabbat Evening Siddur is the first siddur designed specifically for synagogues, minyanim and families striving for authenticity, sincerity and creativity in their traditional Friday night davening. Color photographs, a precise translation and inspiring commentary by Rabbi Jonathan Sacks and Rabbi Yehuda Sarna, a special study section, and an innovative graphic layout bring out the beauty, convey the power, and enrich the experience of welcoming Shabbat.

Meditation from Buddhist, Hindu, and Taoist Perspectives engages readers with its original philosophical and pragmatic analysis of traditional Asian religions, philosophy, meditation practice, and the supreme spiritual ideals associated with the Hindu, Buddhist, and Taoist traditions. The text boldly bridges the theory/practice distinction. A central underpinning of Meditation from Buddhist, Hindu, and Taoist Perspectives rests on the assumption that meditation practice without theory is groundless and that theory without practice is useless. Robert Altobello identifies and analyzes common elements found across traditions in which the practice of meditation plays a central role in human development, and readers will find a wealth of detailed reflection on the relationship between spiritual growth and meditation practice from the Hindu, Buddhist, and Taoist perspectives. In the spirit of these traditions, the exploration of meditation practice requires examination of the principal elements that sustain the core worldviews as well as the metaphysical, epistemological, and ethical presumptions that animate these traditions. Throughout the text, the author demonstrates why these philosophies are all best understood as psychologies of happiness and/or contentment and that by viewing them as such, practitioners can reap the great promises of all these traditions without the need to accept any compromising metaphysical assumptions.

""When we approach God humbly and bow down before Him, we put ourselves in a position to hear from Him."" "" "Are you longing to hear God's voice but feeling disconnected?" God wants to speak directly to each of His beloved children--not to just a few "spiritual elite." Priscilla Shirer looks at God's call to Samuel and uncovers six characteristics essential for hearing from God: A simple relationship--unfettered by sin or pride. A single-minded worship--focused on God and His glory. A set-apart holiness--determined to live a life that honors Him. A still attentiveness--willing to be silent before Him. A sold-out hunger--passionately pursuing God's presence. A servant spirit--submitted to God's call. Her warmth and honesty, combined with a wealth of practical help, will inspire you to cultivate these traits in your own life. By doing so, you will prepare yourself to draw closer to Him and to hear His voice more clearly.

As an old proverb puts it, 'Two Jews, three opinions.' In the long, rich, tumultuous history of the Jewish people, this characteristic contentiousness has often been extended even unto Heaven. Arguing with God is a highly original and utterly absorbing study that skates along the edge of this theological thin ice_at times verging dangerously close to blasphemy_yet also a source of some of the most poignant and deeply soulful expressions of human anguish and yearning. The name Israel literally denotes one who 'wrestles with God.' And, from Jacob's battle with the angel to Elie Wiesel's haunting questions about the Holocaust that hang in the air like still smoke over our own age, Rabbi Laytner admirably details Judaism's rich and pervasive tradition of calling God to task over human suffering and experienced injustice. It is a tradition that originated in the biblical period itself. Abraham, Moses, Elijah, and others all petitioned for divine intervention in their lives, or appealed forcefully to God to alter His proposed decree. Other biblical arguments focused on personal or communal suffering and anger: Jeremiah, Job, and certain Psalms and Lamentations. Rabbi Laytner delves beneath the surface of these 'blasphemies' and reveals how they implicitly helped to refute the claims of opponent religions and advance Jewish doctrines and teachings.

In A Collage of Customs, Mark Podwal's imaginative and inventive interpretations of woodcuts from a 16th-century Sefer Minhagim (Book of Customs) allow us to see these historic images in a new light. Podwal brings humour and whimsy to religious objects and practices, while at the same time delivering profound and nuanced commentary on Jewish customs and history, both through his art and through his insightful accompanying text. The book appears in concert with an exhibition of Podwal's renderings at the Cincinnati Skirball Museum.

Lorna Byrne has helped millions of people around the world by calling on them to realise that they each have a guardian angel and by showing them that can ask for help from God and the angels. Lorna is often asked for help on how to ask and how to pray, so in this new book she gives detailed advice and also includes prayers for different occasions. She says: 'Sometimes our prayers are so focussed on asking for things, we forget to listen out for what God, the angels and our love ones are trying to tell us. God always has this abundance of blessings prepared for us, small blessings and great blessings. He wants to give every individual great life-changing blessings, beginning when that individual is born. God will do everything to make it happen, but He will never infringe on an individual's free will, which a good reason for us to engage intelligent conversation with him - listening as well as asking - in prayer.'

Groundbreaking Book Now Revised and Updated A witch's coven in Argentina became a lighthouse of prayer in less than 60 minutes. A prodigal son returned to the Lord in California. An adopted son and the father who had cast him out years before were reunited in Christ. These are real stories of real lives and cities being transformed through the power of prayer evangelism. In this revised and updated edition of a watershed book, bestselling author Ed Silvoso shows that when you change a city's spiritual climate, everything--and everybody--is transformed. It was something the early church knew innately, and here Ed shares a proven, biblical, and practical plan to help you change the spiritual climate of your city. Fulfilling the Great Commission is no longer a distant hope; it is a fast-approaching reality that we may see in our own lifetime. What better time to join the effort?

Are the richness and diversity of rituals and celebrations in South Asia unique? Can we speak of a homo ritualis when it comes to India or Hinduism? Are Indians or Hindus more involved in rituals than other people? If so, what makes them special? Homo Ritualis is the first book to present a Hindu theory of rituals. Based on extensive textual studies and field-work in Nepal and India, Axel Michaels argues that ritual is a distinctive way of acting, which, as in the theater, can be distinguished from other forms of action. The book analyzes ritual in these cultural-specific and religious contexts, taking into account how indigenous terms and theories affect and contribute to current ritual theory. It describes and investigates various forms of Hindu rituals and festivals, such as life-cycle rituals, the Vedic sacrifice, vows processions, and the worship of deities (puja). It also examines conceptual components of (Hindu) rituals such as framing, formality, modality, and theories of meaning.