This lavishly illustrated volume presents a comprehensive architectural study of 87 individual temples and sanctuaries built in the Roman East between the end of the 1st century BCE and the end of the 3rd century CE, within a broad region encompassing the modern states of Syria, Lebanon, Israel and Jordan. Religious architecture gave faithful expression to the complexity of the Roman East and to its multiplicity of traditions pertaining to ethnic and religious aspects as well as to the powerful influence of Imperial Rome. The source of this power lay in the uniformity of the architectural language, the inventory of forms, the choice of styles and the spatial layout of the buildings. Thus, while temples have an eclectic character, there is an underlying unity of form comprising the podium, the stairway between the terminating walls (antae) and the columns along the entrance front - in other words, the axiality, frontality and symmetry of the temple as viewed from outside. The temples and sanctuaries studied in this volume demonstrate individual nuances of plan, spatial design, location in the sanctuary and interrelations with the immediate vicinity but can be divided into two main categories: Vitruvian temples (derived from Hellenistic-Roman architecture) and Non-Vitruvian temples (those with plans and spatial designs that cannot be analysed according to architectural criteria such as those defined by Vitruvius). The individual descriptions presented focus solely upon the analysis of the external and internal space of the temples of all types and do not involve any cultural or ethnic discussion.

Best-selling author RABBI ARTHUR SEGAL provides the first modern commentary ever written on the Babylonian Talmud's Tractate Derek Eretz Zuta, contextualizing archaic references and bringing its timeless wisdom to life in accessible, contemporary language.

Our sages revealed the path for living at peace with others and taught how to:

-cultivate mindfulness

-stay centered in times of stress

-let go of negativity

-increase self-esteem

-bring out the best in others

-maintain harmony in relationships

-deal with difficult people

-live in serenity, knowing that above all else, ''Great is Peace."

Two of the many important maxims in Derek Eretz Zuta:

"If others speak evil of you let the greatest thing seem unimportant in your eyes; but if you have spoken evil of others, let the least word seem important."

"If you have done much good let it seem little in your eyes, and say: 'Not on my own have I done this, but through the good which has come to me through others'; but let a small kindness done to you appear great."

Chapter Ten, known as "the Chapter on Peace," was considered to be so important by our rabbis that they wanted to make it a tractate of Talmud by itself. One of God's holy names is Shalom. Derek Eretz Zuta teaches us to "love peace and pursue peace."

"People are hungry for civility. More than ever this is a time for civility. Love is the key to many of our problems. I will not let anyone occupy my heart with hate. It is not what someone calls you, but what you answer to." - "Donna Brazile, Vice-Chairwoman, Democratic National Committee."

At once a history lesson and guide to interpersonal ethics, Great is Peace is an eye-opening, life-affirming resource for anyone who asks "What does Judaism have to offer in the 21st century?" Our great sages understood what many today have forgotten - that each of us can heal and repair the world - one person, one interaction at a time. Each of us can be a vessel of our prayers and hopes for shalom, peace. Each of us can live happy, joyous and free, even when the world seems to be an upside-down place.

Here is what others are saying about Great is Peace:

"Rabbi Arthur Segal has taken a little known Talmudic Tractate on a very important subject: treating our fellow man correctly. He has dissected it with his erudite ability to help us understand how the sages of the past intended us to behave toward one another. Rabbi Segal is a outstanding teacher of Talmud-Torah and his insight into this subject is greatly appreciated. I continue to look forward to reading more of his writings and highly recommend this book to you."

-"Rabbi Gershon Steinberg-Caudill"

"Rabbi Arthur Segal's Commentary on Derek Eretz Zuta is an extraordinary collection of Jewish teachings and observations on ways to refine ourselves towards greater holiness and healthiness. Leading us to align ourselves with quality character attributes through personal development (Mussar), this text is a valuable source for study. It is a gift for those who aspire to mitzvah-centered living, rather than self-centered living, not by being self-less, rather by cultivating self as a vessel for the light of Torah."

-"Rabbi Goldie Milgram, Executive Vice-President, ReclaimingJudaism.org"

Along with Rabbi Dr. Arthur Segal's other 4 best-selling titles, Great is Peace is text worth studying and cherishing. It deserves a place in your library of meaningful books.

In The Handbook to Jewish Spiritual Renewal: A Path of Transformation for the Modern Jew, Rabbi Dr. Arthur Segal distills millennia of sage advice into a step-by-step process to recapture your Judaism and your spirituality in a concise easy-to-read and easy to follow manner. If you find yourself wishing to develop a personal relationship with the loving, forgiving God of Judaism Who will give you the strength to sustain you through the ups and downs of life... ...If you want to learn how to live life to its fullest without angst, worry, low self-esteem or fear of failure... ...If you wish that your relationships with family, friends and co-workers were based on love and service and free of ego, arguments, resentments and feelings of being unloved... ...Or if you simply want to know more about Judaism's philosophy of living... ...This book is written for you.

In A Spiritual and Ethical Compendium to the Torah and Talmud, Rabbi Dr. Arthur Segal dissects each of the Torah's weekly sections (parashot) using the Talmud and other rabbinic texts to show the true Jewish take on what the Torah is trying to teach us. This companion to Rabbi Segal's The Handbook to Jewish Spiritual Renewal: A Path of Transformation for the Modern Jew brings the Torah alive with daily relevance to the Modern Jew. All of the Torah can be summed up in one word: Chesed. It means kindness. The Talmud teaches that the Torah is about loving our fellow man and that we are to "go and study." The rest is commentary. This compendium clarifies the commentary and allows one to study Torah and Talmud to learn the Judaic ideals of love, forgiveness, kindness, mercy and peace. A must read for all Jews and deserves a place in every Jewish home.