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13 - Jewish Worship and Liturgy

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  05 May 2015

By
Ruth Langer
Edited by
Judith R. Baskin  and
Kenneth Seeskin
Judith R. Baskin
Affiliation:
University of Oregon
Kenneth Seeskin
Affiliation:
Northwestern University, Illinois
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Summary

Worship marks the human experience almost from the beginning. According to the Bible, after Adam and Eve give birth to Cain and Abel,

Abel became a keeper of sheep, and Cain became a tiller of the soil. In the course of time, Cain brought an offering to the Lord from the fruit of the soil; and Abel, for his part, brought the choicest of the firstlings of his flock. The Lord paid heed to Abel and his offering, but to Cain and his offering He paid no heed. Cain was much distressed … and when they were in the field, Cain set upon his brother Abel and killed him. (Genesis 4:2b–8)

The presumptions here are that God delights in human worship and that the choicest form for this worship is animal sacrifice. These presumptions shape formal Jewish worship of God throughout subsequent history, even when sacrificial worship is not possible. Throughout the centuries, Jews have endeavored not only to communicate their needs and desires to God, but also to worship God in ways that they believed would be pleasing on high.

IN THE HEBREW BIBLE

According to the biblical narrative, before the Israelites received the ground rules for corporate worship of God at Sinai, they worshiped through sacrifices. Indeed, in their world, one could hardly conceive of alternatives. Surrounding cultures all made physical offerings to their gods.

Type
Chapter
Information
The Cambridge Guide to Jewish History, Religion, and Culture , pp. 337 - 356
Publisher: Cambridge University Press
Print publication year: 2010

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