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The Encyclopedia of Judaism provides a full and reliable account of Judaism, the religion, its diverse history, literature, beliefs, practices, observances, and its place in the context of society and culture from ancient Israelite times to our own day. By reason of its antiquity, influence on other world religions, power to persuade the faithful of its truth, and contemporary vitality, Judaism demands sustained attention.This encyclopedia takes a broad scopeand viewpoint from various scholars to maintain objectivity. The history of Judaism is laid out both by chronological periods and geographical regions. The holy books from ancient Israelite Scripture to the Dead Sea Scrolls, Jewish mysticism, ethics, law, synagogue design, and relation to other religions, politics, natural sciences, sociology, and anthropology, all are expounded in detail. This is a definitive work on what is a living religion, not merely an ethnic culture or historical tradition.
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