The Concise Oxford Dictionary of World Religions (364 page)

Read The Concise Oxford Dictionary of World Religions Online

Authors: John Bowker

BOOK: The Concise Oxford Dictionary of World Religions
11.33Mb size Format: txt, pdf, ePub
Ben Gurion, David
(1886–1973).
First prime minister of
Israel
. His own faith he summarized as, ‘We have preserved the Book, and the Book has preserved us.’
Ben ha-matserim
(between the disasters commemorated by Jews on 17 Tammuz and 9 Av)
:
Benjamin
.
Youngest son of the patriarch
Jacob
, full brother to
Joseph
and forefather of the tribe of Benjamin.
Bensh
(Yid., ‘Bless’). Jewish expression used for making a
blessing
. A bensh can refer to grace after meals, blessing a child, or other
benedictions
.
Ben Sira, Wisdom of
(also called Ecclesiasticus, the Church (book), and Sirach, the Gk. for Sira)
.
Book of the
Apocrypha
. It was probably composed in the 2nd cent. BCE. It directs humanity to the ways of wisdom, virtue, and moderation, and emphasizes the importance of well-ordered family life.
Ben sorer u-moreh
(Jewish Commandment)
:

Other books

Jasper John Dooley, Left Behind by Caroline Adderson, Ben Clanton
Under Their Skin by Margaret Peterson Haddix
The Stolen Princess by Anne Gracie
Alex as Well by Alyssa Brugman