Author: Cary Hardy

8%. In 2010 a report released by the Israel Central Bureau of Statistics showed that 8% of Israel’s Jewish population defines itself as ultra-Orthodox, 12% as Orthodox, 13% as traditional-religious, 25% as traditional, and 42% as secular, on a descending scale of religiosity. How many haredim are there in Israel? […]

First-century historian Josephus observed that there were three sects among the Jews: the Pharisees, the Sadducees, and Essenes. Historian Pamela Nadell examines these once-flourishing sects that thrived in the late Second Temple era until the war between the Jews and the Romans (66–70 A.D.) sealed their fates. What are the […]

“mother tongue”), distinguishing it from לשון־קודש (loshn koydesh, “holy tongue”), meaning Hebrew and Aramaic. The term “Yiddish”, short for Yidish Taitsh (“Jewish German”), did not become the most frequently used designation in the literature until the 18th century. Where did the term Yiddish come from? The term “Yiddish” is derived […]

Pennsylvania Dutch. Pennsylvania Dutch is the language used by the Amish population here in Lancaster County. It is considered to be their first and native language. The Amish learn to read, write and speak in English, allowing them to communicate with the ‘outside world’. How do you say hello in […]

Meat (fleishig) Jewish law states that for meat to be considered kosher, it must meet the following criteria: It must come from ruminant animals with cloven — or split — hooves, such as cows, sheep, goats, lambs, oxen, and deer. The only permitted cuts of meat come from the forequarters […]

It continues in part because an imam is not required to solemnize a marriage in the Islamic faith. Anyone with a basic requisite knowledge of the Qur’an and the prophetic traditions can officiate a nikah — or marriage — ceremony. Can a imam be married? Ali said the Koran is […]