Rabnsk judaismus – Pehledn prvodce (2026)

This accessible yet scholarly guide introduces the religious beliefs, liturgy, rituals and everyday life of Judaism. It focuses on rabbinic Judaism, the branch that emerged after the destruction of the Second Temple in Jerusalem in 70 CE and shaped Jewish life as it is known today, from synagogue worship, holiday ceremonies and Talmud study to rituals such as bar mitzvah. The book examines the late antique, medieval and early modern periods while also considering later changes in the modern world. It pays particular attention to Jewish culture in Central Europe, with comparisons to Sephardic culture in medieval Spain and Judaism in the State of Israel and the United States. Drawing extensively on Hebrew sources, the author presents quotations in the distinctive style of rabbinic writing. Short, thematically arranged entries allow the book to be read from beginning to end or used as an encyclopaedia. Hebrew and Aramaic terms appear both in a simple Czech transliteration and in Hebrew script. Alongside major religious ideas, the book explores everyday life, including beliefs in angels, demons and dybbuks, protective rituals and the use of amulets. It answers questions such as what a menorah is, whether a community member can be excommunicated, what the story of the Golem involves and what Hasidism means. The contents are in Czech.