Constructing their essays around specific cultural artifactsthat were created in the period and locale under study, thecontributors describe the cultural interactions among differentJews–from rabbis and scholars to non-elite groups, includingwomen–as well as between Jews and the surrounding non-Jewish world.What they conclude is that although Jews have always had their ownautonomous traditions, Jewish identity cannot be considered thefixed product of either ancient ethnic or religious origins.Rather, it has shifted and assumed new forms in response to thecultural environment in which the Jews have lived. Mediterranean Origins , the first volume in Cultures ofthe Jews , describes the concept of the “People” or “Nation” ofIsrael that emerges in the Hebrew Bible and the culture of theIsraelites in relation to that of neighboring Canaanite groups. Italso discusses Jewish cultures in Babylonia, in Palestine duringthe Greco-Roman and Byzantine periods, and in Arabia during theformative ye

From ancient Palestine through Europe and Asia, to America andmodern Israel, Max I. Dimont shows how the saga of the Jews isinterwoven with the story of virtually every nation on earth.--This text refers to an alternate Paperback edition.

Elizabeth was a beautiful woman who began past-life regressiontherapy for grief and relationship problems. With the help of Dr.Weiss, she delved into former lives, began to understand herpresent, and surprisingly, like Catherine in Many Lives, ManyMasters, made contact with the Masters: highly evolved, ancientsouls who, through her, channeled profound, crystalline messagesfor all people about life after death, spiritual dimensions, andthe purpose of our lives on earth. At the same time, Dr. Weiss wastreating Pedro, a charming man also suffering from grief. He, too,underwent past-life regression therapy to seek solutions andhealing. Dr. Weiss had often worked with couples or families whodiscovered that they had

An intriguing examination of the extraordinary and little known meeting between St. Francis of Assisi and Islamic leader Sultan Malik Al-Kamil that has strong resonance in today's divided world.

Neal Donald Walsch was experiencing a low periodin his life when he decided to write a letter to God, venting hisfrustrations. What he did not expect was a response. As he finishedhis letter, he was moved to continue writing - and out cameextraordinary answers to his questions. This work presents theanswers that Walsch received, helping him to change himself, hislife and the way he viewed other beings.

This accelerated step-by-step course in sensing energy istaught by Orin, a wise and gentle spirit teacher channeled bySanaya Roman. Using these easy-to-follow processes, thousands havelearned to create immediate and profound changes in theirrelationships, their self-images, and their ability to love and beloved. You need no longer be affected by other people's moods ornegativity. You can recognize when you have taken on other people'senergy and easily release it. You can learn to stay centered andbalanced, know who you are, increase the positive energy aroundyou, and help and heal others. Your sensitivity is a gift. Learn touse it to send a receive telepathic messages, increase yourintuitive abities, and open to higher guidance. You can leave thedenser energies, where things are often painful, and live in theigher energies, where you can feel loving, calm, focused, andpositive. Orin offers a step-by-step course in sensing energy tocreate changes in relationships, self-image, and the ability tolove and

This remarkable book takes as its subject one of the most outstanding men that ever lived. The ultimate prodigy, Leonardo da Vinci was an artist of great originality and power, a scientist, and a powerful thinker. According to Sigmund Freud, he was also a flawed, repressed homosexual. The first psychosexual history to be published, Leonardo da Vinci was the only biography the great psychoanalyst wrote. When Jung first saw it, he told Freud it was 'wonderful', and it remained Freud's favourite composition. The text includes the first full emergence of the concept of narcissism and develops Freud's theories of homosexuality. While based upon controversial research, the book offers a fascinating insight into two men - the subject and the author. If you've ever wondered just what lies behind the Mona Lisa's enigmatic smile, read Freud on Leonardo. It's genius on genius.

An examination of the influence of the Bible on Western artand literature and on the Western creative imagination in general.Frye persuasively presents the Bible as a unique text distinct fromall other epics and sacred writings. No one has set forth soclearly, so subtly, or with such cogent energy as Frye the literaryaspect of our biblical heritage (New York Times Book Review).Indices.

From distinguished moral philosopher Martha Nussbaum, this isa historical and conceptual study of the American tradition ofreligious freedom. In one of greatest triumphs of the colonial andRevolutionary periods, the founders of the future United Statesovercame religious intolerance in favour of a constitutional orderdedicated to fair treatment for people's deeply held conscientiousbeliefs. It granted equal liberty of conscience to all and took afirm stand against religious establishment. This respect forreligious difference, argues Martha Nussbaum, is the basis fordemocracy in America. Yet today there signs that this legacy ismisunderstood. The prominence of a particular type of Christianityin America's public life suggests the unequal worth of citizens whohold different religious beliefs or no beliefs. Other people,meanwhile, seek to curtail the influence of religion in public lifein a way that is itself unbalanced and unfair. Such partisanefforts, argues Nussbaum, violate the spirit of the AmericanCo

This intimate, affectionate portrait of Pope John Paul II byhis longtime secretary and confidant reveals fascinating newdetails about the opinions, hopes, fears, and dramatic life of thispublic man. “I had accompanied him for almost forty years: twelve in Krakówand then twenty-seven in Rome. I was always with him, always at hisside. Now, in the moment of death, he’d gone on alone. . . .Andnow? Who is accompanying him on the other side?” —From A Life with Karol Cardinal Stanislaw Dziwisz worked side by side with Pope JohnPaul II for almost forty years, enjoying unique access to both thepublic and private man. In A life with Karol, he provides aclose-up glimpse into the Pope’s life and the critical events ofhis papacy. Dziwisz was sitting next to the Pope during the assassinationattempt in 1981. He recounts the Pope's reaction to 9/11,describing his thoughts and feelings on that day. And theCardinal’s moving de*ion of the Pope’s haunting memories ofWorld War II unco

Presenting sexual profiles on each of the twelve sun signs, aguide details specific dos and don'ts that enable readers topredict which behaviors best enable them to captivate the person oftheir choice.

Breathing Space is the story of Heidi Neumark and theHispanic and African-American Lutheran church-Transfiguration-thattook a chance calling on a pastor from a starkly differentbackground. Despite living and working in a milieu of overwhelmingpoverty and violence, Neumark and the congregation encounter evenmore powerful forces of hope and renewal. This story of a community creating space for new life and breathis also the story of a young woman-working, raising her children,and struggling for spiritual breathing space. Through poignant,intimate stories, Neumark charts her journey alongside herparishioners as pastor, church, and community grow in wisdom andtogether experience transformation.

For thirty years Randy Alcorn has been encouragingpeople-young and old-to pursue the rewards of sexual purity. Toooften we settle for a compromised Christianity that's just abaptized version of the world's sad existence, rather than theabundant life to which God calls us. This book deals with - raisingchildren to embrace sexual purity - providing an example of purityin the home - protecting purity in dating (at any age) - andmaintaining purity in marriage. Biblical, practical, and concise,The Purity Principle is a one-stop handbook for individuals,families and churches.

The first edition, released in 1995, was lauded by seasonedpractitioners and beginners alike. And no wonder. While most of theearly English-language books on feng shui were dauntingly mysticalor relied on complex calculations or culturally specific designpractices, Feng Shui Made Easy took a more holistic approach,clearly explaining the fundamentals while guiding readers on aninner journey of understanding. Thoughtfully written and beautifully illustrated, the book isstructured around an “architecture of consciousness” that is reallythe inner landscape. The book explores each “house” of thebagua—the chart representing one’s journey through life;relationships with parents, loved ones, and community; creativity;spirituality; and connectedness to the source of life—and thesymbolism of the corresponding I Ching trigram. Feng Shui Made Easyhelps readers discover the nature of these connections, as well aslearn what obstructions must be removed to change fixed patterns ofbehavior and rest

In his brilliant long-awaited new book, Dr Brian Weiss revealshow our future lives can transform us in the present. We have alllived past lives. All of us will live future ones. What we do inthis life will influence our lives to come as we evolve towardsimmortality. In this new book, the bestselling author of ManyLives, Many Masters, has not only regressed his patients into thepast, but also progressed them into the future. He has discoveredthat our futures are variable - the choices we make now willdetermine the quality of our life when we return. For the firsttime, Dr Brian Weiss takes patients into the future in aresponsible, healing way. Using dozens of case histories, Dr Weissdemonstrates the therapeutic benefits of progression therapy tobring patients more peace, joy and healing, just as he has shownthat journeys into our past lives can cure physical or emotionalwounds in the present.

While in the service of India’s Nizam of Hyderabad, MarmadukePickthall converted to Islam and, with the help of Muslimtheologians and linguists, produced this clear and lovingly preciseEnglish interpretation of the Holy Koran. His work is honored bybeliever and non-believer alike for its unique combination ofpiety, scholarly rigor in its translation and explanatory notes,and deep feeling for the poetic beauty and moral grandeur of itsArabic original.

With nearly two million copies in print, Gary Goldschneider's Secret Language of Birthdays and Secret Language ofRelationships are mainstays of any bookstore astrologysection. Now the best-selling author has returned with his biggestand most ambitious work yet: Gary Goldschneider's EverydayAstrology . Here is detailed and comprehensive advice for handling everyonein your life—and we mean everyone: parents, children, siblings,coworkers, employees, lovers, spouses, exes, and more. Whetheryou're wooing a Gemini first date, asking a Virgo boss for a raise,or persuading your Pisces roommate to do the dishes, GaryGoldschneider's Everyday Astrology offers advice for anysituation imaginable. Once you start paging through this book,you'll find it impossible to stop!

For centuries, The I Ching or Book of Changes has beenconsulted for sage advice at life's turning points. When its wisdomis sought with sincerity and sensitivity, this Chinese oracle willhelp to promote success and good fortune and to impart balance andperspective to your life. Its everlasting popularity lies in thelessons that it teaches about how to use your positive qualities inorder to attain life's greatest rewards-prosperity, understanding,and peace of mind. Brian Browne Walker's new, highly accessible translation of the IChing, because it is clear and direct, allows you to make thewisdom of the ancient Chinese sages your own. Brian Browne...