Teaching Jewish Virtues
Tao which is actually pronounced as "dow" is translated to mean the way or path in English. Tao in reality is not so easily definable. Tao is the power of the universe that encompasses and moves through all things, both living and non living. The Tao stands for balance and shows the harmony of opposite sides, such as light and dark, love and hate, male and female.
The founder of Taoism is believed by many to be Lao-Tse (604-531 BCE), a contemporary of Confucius. (Alternative spellings: Lao Tze, Lao Tsu, Lao Tzu, Laozi, Laotze, etc.). He was searching for a way that would avoid the constant feudal warfare and other conflicts that disrupted society during his lifetime. The result was his book: Tao-te-Ching (a.k.a. Daodejing). Others believe that he is a mythical character.
Taoism began as a mixture of psychology and philosophy but eventually evolved into a religious faith in 440 CE when it was adopted by China as a state religion. Taoism, along with Buddhism and Confucianism, became one of the three great religions of China. China's support for Taoism stopped with the end of the Ch'ing Dynasty in 1911. Religious freedom became even further restricted after the Communist Party's victory and takeover in 1949. Much of the Taoist heritage was lost in the Cultural Revolution that occurred from 1966 to 1976.
Tao is the first-cause of the universe. It is a force that flows through all life.
"The Tao surrounds everyone and therefore everyone must listen to find enlightenment."
Each believer's goal is to harmonize themselves with the Tao. Taoism has provided an alternative to the Confucian tradition in China. The two traditions have coexisted in the country, region, and generally within the same individual. The priesthood views their many gods as manifestations of the one Dao, "which could not be represented as an image or a particular thing." The concept of a personified deity is foreign to them, as is the concept of the creation of the universe. Thus, they do not pray as Christians do; there is no God to hear the prayers or to act upon them. They seek answers to life's problems through inner meditation and outer observation.
Some of the basic tenets of Taoism are the following:
oTime is cyclical, not linear as in Western thinking.
oTaoists strongly promote health and vitality.
oFive main organs and orifices of the body correspond to the five parts of the sky: water, fire, wood, metal and earth.
oEach person must nurture the Ch'i (air, breath) that has been given to them.
oDevelopment of virtue is one's chief task. The Three Jewels to be sought are compassion, moderation and humility.
oTaoists follow the art of "wu wei," which is to let nature take its course. For example, one should allow a river to flow towards the sea unimpeded; do not erect a dam which would interfere with its natural flow.
oOne should plan in advance and consider carefully each action before making it.
A Taoists is kind to other individuals, in part because such an action tends to be reciprocated.
Taoists believe that "people are compassionate by nature...left to their own devices they will show this compassion without expecting a reward."
Gregg Hall is a consultant for online and offline businesses and lives in Navarre Florida. .Get more information on Taoism at http://www.emerald-energies.com
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 Teaching Jewish Virtues Sacred Sources and Arts Activi  US $95.47
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Once again, Flavius Josephus spoke about John the Baptist, isn't this proof of Jesus also?
And he says that John taught that it would be acceptable to good that they be baptised. Now which God wanted this done? None other than Jesus Christ.
Isn't this proof?
"Now some of the Jews thought that the destruction of Herod's army came from God, and that very justly, as a punishment of what he did against John, that was called the Baptist: for Herod slew him, who was a good man, and commanded the Jews to exercise virtue, both as to righteousness towards one another, and piety towards God, and so to come to baptism; for that the washing [with water] would be acceptable to him, if they made use of it, not in order to the putting away [or the remission] of some sins [only], but for the purification of the body; supposing still that the soul was thoroughly purified beforehand by righteousness." Flavius Josephus, Jewish Antiquities book 18, chapter 5, paragraph 2
ok,
here is the thing, what are you looking to prove with this?
that a MAN named jesus existed that fit the role of a preacher going around preacing reforms in the jewish religion around that time.
or that a man nammed jesus existed, performed miracles and was the son of god during that time.
if you are trying to prove the first statement- then this can certainly (as can the other writings about jesus) prove that a man nammed jesus existed, and his followers believed that he was the son of god, etc.
but it does not prove his role that christian mythology places him in.
just like many stories that tend to point to the same person, tends to lend credibiity towards the existance of that person- but these stories are obviously fables that are exxagerated most times so other than verifying that a person nammed "jesus" did exist, this does not prove the religious aspects of the man.
there are also holes in these sources and thier use is limited, but if all you seek to establish is jesus' existance, then they do go a long way towards an offering of proof and verifying that jesus existed. If you expect them to be taken for the truth of thier words and stories and that jesus performed miracles and was the son of god then they offer no proof.
the fact that many stories mention the same person- tends to indicate that that person, or a person like him existed that filled that role.
10 Minute Topics: Women in Judaism
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Teaching Jewish Virtues: Sacred Sources and Arts Activities |
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This book addresses the issues of who we should be, how we can develop personal character, and why pursuing lives of virtue is a central Jewish value. The 22 Virtues presented include Anavah (Humility), Din V'Rachamimim (Balancing Justice and Mercy), Emet (Truth), Erech Apayim (Slowness to Anger), Lo Levayesh (Not Embarassing Others), Malachah (Industriousness), Nedivut (Generosity), Ohev Zeh et Zeh/Mechabayd Zeh et Zeh (Loving and Honoring Others), Ometz Lev (Courage), Samayach B'Chelko (Contentment with One's Lot), Shmiat HaOzen (Attentiveness/Being a Good Listener), Shmirat HaGuf (Taking Care of Your Body), Simcha (Joy), and Yirah (Awe and Reverence)... |
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Teaching Hot Topics: Jewish values, resources, and activities |
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A Leader's Guide to the Study of the Jewish Moral Virtues |
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A comprehensive guide that carefully examines each chapter of The Jewish Moral Virtues and advises leadrs and teachers on how best to present the material. |