But our children need to be educated because they are the torch bearers of our future.

What is the Core Knowledge Sequence?

E.D. Hirsch with the help of educators around the world created a list of “words” that he believed that all literate adults should know.  He published his findings in the book: Cultural Literacy.  This group then took that list and divided it between grades K-8.  By covering all of these items, E.D. Hirsch believe that all children, no matter their family income level, gifted, learning issues, or even non-native English speakers would be entered the next phase of their life with the same strong foundation.

This sequence of knowledge was published under the name “Core Knowledge Sequence” (which is not to be confused with the Common Core State Standards).

I am going to focus on the History part of the sequence, but other subjects are interchanged.  For example, when the History of China is studied, the art teacher teaches Chinese art, and the music teacher teaches about Chinese music.  The subject are not intended to be taught in a vacuum.

Kindergarten

World:

• I. Geography: Spatial Sense
• II. An Overview of the Seven Continents

American:

• I. Geography
• II. Native American Peoples, Past and Present
• III. Early Exploration and Settlement
  • A. The Voyage of Columbus in 1492
  • B. The Pilgrims
  • C. July 4, “Independence Day”
• IV. Presidents, Past and Present
• V. Symbols and Figures

Grade 1

World:

• I. Geography
  • A. Spatial Sense
  • B. Geographical Terms and Features
• II. Early World Civilizations
  • A. Mesopotamia: The “Cradle of Civilization”
  • B. Ancient Egypt
  • C. History of World Religions
• III. Modern Civilization and Culture: Mexico
  • A. Geography
  • B. Culture

American:

• I. Early People and Civilizations
  • A. The Earliest People: Hunters and Nomads
  • B. Early American Civilizations
• II. Early Exploration and Settlement
  • A. Columbus
  • B. The Conquistadors
  • C. English Settlers
• III. From Colonies to Independence: The American Revolution
• IV. Early Exploration of the American West
• V. Symbols and Figures

Grade 2

World:

• I. Geography
  • A. Spatial Sense
  • B. Geographical Terms and Features
• II. Early Asian Civilizations
  • A. Geography of Asia
  • B. India
  • C. China
• III. Modern Japanese Civilization
  • A. Geography
  • B. Culture
• IV. The Ancient Greek Civilization

American:

• I. American Government: The Constitution
• II. The War of 1812
• III. Westward Expansion
  • A. Pioneers Head West
  • B. Native Americans
• IV. The Civil War
• V. Immigration and Citizenship
• VI. Fighting for a Cause
• VII. Geography of the Americas
  • A. North America
  • B. South America
• VIII. Symbols and Figures

Grade 3

World:

• I. World Geography
  • A. Spatial Sense
  • B. Geographical Terms and Features
  • C. Canada
  • D. Important Rivers of the World
• II. The Ancient Roman Civilization
  • A. Geography of the Mediterranean Region
  • B. Background
  • C. The Empire
  • D. The “Decline and Fall” of Rome
  • E. The Eastern Roman Empire: Byzantine Civilization
• III. The Vikings

American:

• I. The Earliest Americans
  • A. Crossing from Asia to North America
  • B. Native Americans
• II. Early Exploration of North America
  • A. Early Spanish Exploration and Settlement
  • B. Exploration and Settlement of the American Southwest
  • C. The Search for the Northwest Passage
• III. The Thirteen Colonies: Life and Times Before the Revolution
  • A. Geography
  • B. Southern Colonies
  • C. New England Colonies
  • D. Middle Atlantic Colonies

Grade 4

World:

• I. World Geography
  • A. Spatial Sense
  • B. Mountains and Mountain Ranges
• II. Europe in the Middle Ages
  • A. Geography Related to the Development of Western Europe
  • B. Background
  • C. Developments in History of the Christian Church
  • D. Feudalism
  • E. The Norman Conquest
  • F. Growth of Towns
  • G. England in the Middle Ages
• III. The Spread of Islam and the “Holy Wars”
  • A. Islam
  • B. Development of Islamic Civilization
  • C. Wars Between Muslims and Christians
• IV. Early and Medieval African Kingdoms
  • A.Geography of Africa
  • B. Early African Kingdoms
  • C. Medieval Kingdoms of Sudan
• V. China: Dynasties and Conquerors

American:

• I. The American Revolution
  • A. Background: The French and Indian War
  • B. Causes and Provocations
  • C. The Revolution
• II. Making a Constitutional Government
  • A.Main Ideas Behind the Declaration of Independence
  • B. Making a New Government: From the Declaration to the Constitution
  • C. The Constitution of the United States
  • D. Levels and Functions of Government (National, State, Local)
• III. Early Presidents and Politics
• IV. Reformers
• V. Symbols and Figures

Grade 5

World:

• I. World Geography
  • A. Spatial Sense
  • B. Great Lakes of the World
• II. Early American Civilizations
  • A. Geography
  • B. Maya, Aztec and Inca Civilizations
  • C. Spanish Conquerors
• III. European Exploration, Trade, and the Clash of Cultures
  • A. Background
  • B. European Exploration, Trade, and Colonization
  • C. Trade and Slavery
• IV. The Renaissance and the Reformation
  • A. The Renaissance
  • B. The Reformation
• V. England from the Golden Age to the Glorious Revolution
  • A. England in the Golden Age
  • B. From the English Revolution to the Glorious Revolution
• VI. Russia: Early Growth and Expansion
  • A. Geography
  • B. History and Culture
• VII. Feudal Japan
  • A. Geography
  • B. History and Culture

American:

• I. Westward Expansion
  • A. Westward Expansion before the Civil War
  • B. Westward Expansion after the Civil War
• II. The Civil War: Causes, Conflicts, Consequences
  • A. Toward the Civil War
  • B. The Civil War
  • C. Reconstruction
• III. Native Americans: Cultures and Conflicts
  • A.Culture and Life
  • B. American Government Policies
  • C. Conflicts
• IV. U. S. Geography

Grade 6

World:

• I. World Geography
  • A. Spatial Sense
  • B. Great Deserts of the World
• II. Lasting Ideas from Ancient Civilizations
  • A. Judaism and Christianity
  • B. Ancient Greece
  • C. Ancient Rome
• III. The Enlightenment
• IV. The French Revolution
• V. Romanticism
• VI. Industrialism, Capitalism, and Socialism
  • A. The Industrial Revolution
  • B. Capitalism
  • C. Socialism
• VII. Latin American Independence Movements
  • A. History
  • B. Geography of Latin America

American:

• I. Immigration, Industrialization, and Urbanization
  • A. Immigration
  • B. Industrialization and Urbanization
• II. Reform

Grade 7

Note: In 7th and 8th grade, history is no longer divided into world history and American history.  This has to do with the fact that after 1900, a lot of historical events are internationally related and that continues through the present day.

• I. America Becomes a World Power
• II. World War I: “The Great War,” 1914–1918
  • A. History
  • B. Geography of Western and Central Europe
• III. The Russian Revolution
  • A. History
  • B. Geography
• IV. America from the Twenties to the New Deal
  • A. America in the Twenties
  • B. The Great Depression
  • C. Roosevelt and the New Deal
• V. World War II
  • A. The Rise of Totalitarianism in Europe
  • B. World War II in Europe and at Home, 1939–45
  • C. World War II in the Pacific, and the End of the War
• VI. Geography of the United States

Grade 8

• I. The Decline of European Colonialism
  • A. Breakup of the British Empire
  • B. Creation of the People’s Republic of China
• II. The Cold War
  • A. Origins of the Cold War
  • B. The Korean War
  • C America in the Cold War
• III. The Civil Rights Movement
• IV. The Vietnam War and the Rise of Social Activism
  • A. The Vietnam War
  • B. Social and Environmental Activism
• V. The Middle East and Oil Politics
  • A. History
  • B. Geography of the Middle East
• VI. The End of the Cold War: The Expansion of Democracy and Continuing Challenges
  • A. The American Policy of Detente
  • B. Breakup of the USSR
  • C. China under Communism
  • D. Contemporary Europe
  • E. The End of Apartheid in South Africa
• VII. Civics: The Constitution—Principles and Structure of American Democracy
• VIII. Geography of Canada and Mexico

So what comes next?

Since this sequence was created around 1988, major events that took place after that point are not included in the sequence.   Some high schools dedicate a whole school year to the “History of the 20th and 21st Century” because as many Black leaders point out today, the history of the last 100 years seems to be light in a lot of curriculums.

What is the Classical sequence of teaching history?

The “Classical Education” approach teaches history in a 4-year cycle.  With each cycle, the student goes more and more in-depth.

1. Year 1: Ancient History
2. Year 2: Middle Ages
3. Year 3: Early Modern History
4. Year 4: Modern History

The problem that I notice, when this cycle is used, is that modern history includes everything from 1450 – Present.  That is a lot of history to teach in a short time period, which leads to what a lot of people complain about that “current events” (or historical events in more recent modern history) are left out of the curriculum.

What is the Charlotte Mason sequence of teaching history?

The 6-year cycle was developed by Charlotte Mason.

1. Area 1 (Grades 1 – 3): Students study their history.  The major events and the major figures who were involved in the forming of their own country.  With the US, there is debate on this.  Does it begin in 1492 with Columbus?  Does it begin when the first people landed in what is now Florida? Or does it begin when the first slaves arrived in the US?  Some Black leaders today believe that the start of Black history in the US has a different starting point than the start of White history in the US?  Who is right?  Who is wrong?  Are they both right?  Are they both wrong?  (Good thing we have the 1st Amendment and both sides are free to state their arguments)
   Some also believe that this begins with the history of when England became a nation because America started as a colony of England.  (Such a simple question can become a very complex question.
2. Area 2 (Grades 4 – 6):  Students add the history of neighboring countries because their history is our history.  For US students, that would be learning the history and culture of Mexico and Canada.  But since a large number of immigrants migrate to the US from Central and Southern America, one can also say that would include the history and culture of those nations as well.
   Others believe that since the US came from England, this is the time to teach England’s history.
3. Area 3 (Starting at Grade 5 and 6): Ancient History moving through the Dark Ages and Middle Ages.
4. Area 4: This would be a 20th-century history.

The main difference between the classical sequence and the Charlotte Mason sequence is that in the classical sequence, history begins with Creation.  In the Charlotte Mason sequence, history begins with the history of your own country.

The proponents of the classical sequence, believe that God and Creation were the foundation of history education that a child builds upon.  Charlotte Mason believed that understanding one’s country (its history and its impact on the world) was the foundation that one’s history is built upon.

Although Charlotte Mason did believe in God, Charlotte Mason separated out the study of God from the study of history.  But even in religion, Charlotte Mason believes that a child should have a solid education in their own religion before studying other religions.

Cheater’s Path – Cartoon History of the Universe

Or if you ask my son, he thinks that children should just read the Cartoon History of the Universe Sequence of books:

1. Cartoon History of the Universe: From the Big Bang the Napoleon the Great
2. Cartoon History of the Universe: From the Springtime of China to the Fall of Rome
3. Cartoon History of the Universe: From the Rise of Arabia to the Renaissance
4. Cartoon History of the Modern World: From Columbus to the US Constitution
5. Cartoon History of the Modern World: From Bastille to Baghdad
6. Cartoon History of the United States

During 7th and 8th grade, my oldest son just read these books and got As in history (not to mention developing a love for the study of history that he still has to this day).

The only part that is missing is current modern history.  For that I would recommend adding on the book “Chronicle of the 20th Century” which is a book that is just newspaper articles reprinted as they appeared when they were first printed.  One page for every month from 1900 – 1987 (when the book was first published).

As for 1987 to the present?  Create a class Wiki and make it a group project.  Follow the example in Chronicles of the 20th-century book and create one page for each month from 1988 to the present.

That would be 384 pages, at one page per school day, it will only take 2 school years to complete.  But the kids will definitely have a solid education in history when they are done.

The post Review of Core Knowledge Sequence and Cultural Education appeared first on Along the Boards.

For decades this hat was worn around the world with the wrong name, taking away the knowledge of its true origin. The straw hat carries with it a great history that dates back to pre-Columbian origins. The native cultures of the Ecuadorian coast made this hat and made it part of their daily life.

True Hat Story

The straw hat originates from the cities of Montecristi and Jipijapa, located in the province of Manabí, in the dry forests of the Ecuadorian coast. Here ancient peoples have weaved the hat for centuries. For years the fabric has been perfected and has become the fine hat it is today. The hat is made by the hand of artisans, who from childhood are trained by their parents, who transmit the knowledge of weaving to them. This has been the case for generations, the fabric is still alive for the families that continue transmitting the wisdom of how to make a hat to the new generations.

But not everything has been so simple, as the years have passed, the interest of the new generations to learn the weaving of a fine straw hat has been lost. This happens because the hat is not fully valued yet. Weavers are not properly valued for the immaterial knowledge they carry. Economically it costs them a lot to subsist and they look for other different alternatives to generate income. Few artisans manage to subsist on weaving and it is because there are companies that export hats and sell them around the world. Also, the number of tourists that year after year visit the cities where the famous hats are made and buy from artisans.

In recent years, campaigns have emerged to promote awareness of the “Panama hat” or better known as the Montecristi Hat. Bring this art to the whole world, but making its true history known. Its true origin. A hat whose unique qualities are fascinating both from the moment it is made until it reaches its owner.

Elaboration Process of a Fine and Elegant Hat

The fiber used to weave the straw hat comes from the plant called Palma Toquilla (Carludovica palmata). A plant located in the forests of the equatorial coast. It is extracted by hand and carefully from the forest and then it is cleaned and cooked in sulfur water, to remove the chlorophyll and give it the characteristic natural beige color. After cooking, the leaves are dried in the environment so that they can be free of moisture. When the toquilla leaves are dry, they are collected and the fibers of the leaf begin to be divided into delicate strands that, depending on their thickness, are used in the manufacture of the different types of hats. For example, a fine hat uses fine strands that will be carefully interwoven. The aim is to obtain a cool hat, very easy to wear and with a perfect finish.

Continuing with the elaboration of this beautiful hat, once the fibers have been obtained. A craftsman begins the work of weaving. Starting from the top of the hat to the wings. The time that the elaboration lasts depends on the quality of the hat, it can be from three to six months. They use several hours a day to knit a hat. They do it in an awkward position, because they are standing, hunched over, resting their chest on a special stool that holds the hat and allows the craftsman to knit the hat. This is the most special thing about the hat. This art carries with it the hard work of artisans, their parents, and their children. A life delivered to the perfection of a fabric of hundreds of years of existence. Once the hat is finished, a ribbon is placed to give it its characteristic design. The value of the hat is usually expensive due to the dedication of time spent by the craftsman and his complex weaving.

An Ideal Destination to Discover a Culture

Its landscapes, people, and tradition are unmatched. Ecuador is a small country located in northwestern South America. Despite being a small dimension of territory, it has a great biodiversity of flora and fauna, unique animals, and varied ecosystems. You can tour the entire country in a short time, go from the sea to the volcanoes with snow, and then enjoy the Amazon jungle is a formidable experience.

There is an ancient culture that is so old and so current to this day, in a country full of traditions that live every day in the lives of its people. You can allow yourself to discover the mysteries that revolve around this hat and other precious treasures that exist in this country. Get to know first hand its origin, its people, and the hands that dedicate all their lives to making this art. Get to know its landscapes where the large toquilla straw hat appears. The experience is unforgettable and apart from enjoying and getting to know a new culture, you can help artisans continue weaving hats.

This country has countless unique wonders. Traveling through the landscapes of the magical and diverse Ecuador will fascinate you. Nature in its pure and preserved state. Its warm people welcome you, not only with its art but also with its stories and the undoubted flavor of its gastronomy. You can live an experience alone or with your family. Allow you to enjoy the tranquility that Ecuador can offer you. Dare to live a different adventure. For more information about Panama hats visit  EcuadorianHands.

The post Straw Hat – A Millennial Treasure of Ecuador appeared first on Along the Boards.

Its magnificent cannot be matched, not even by the Sistine Chapel and even the Prussian Parks. This is because the Hermitage was once the great palace of the Russian Tsars. The entire palace is so vast, that it even holds nearly three million art pieces. To put it briefly, it will take you days before you fully explore each room and examine each art piece.

With so many options at your disposal and so many things for you to see, we’ve decided to come up with a list of the best ones. If you are planning a trip to the Hermitage, these are the art pieces that you must see.

1. Michelangelo’s Crouching Boy

Everyone knows Michelangelo and everyone recognizes his work. The Renaissance period saw artists and sculptors create their fines work. Safe to say, this period can be described as the “industrial revolution for the art world”.

One of the most popular sculptors and painters of this period is Michelangelo. His finest work, the Crouching Boy, is a thing of beauty. A statue made out of marble that portrays the nude boy couching with his head down. Michelangelo has his best paintings and sculptures spread across many museums, and the Crouching Boy is exclusive to the Hermitage, along with it being the only art from him.

2. Statues of Atlantes

The Statues of Atlantes are massive pieces of work that are located outside the New Hermitage building. They are placed to effectively “guard” the Imperial museum. Made from granite, the ten Statues of Atlantes attract many visitors each year.

They are absolutely massive and have excellent attention to detail. A single toe of the statue can be bigger than a grown man’s entire palm, so you can imagine how huge they are.

Each statue holds its hands above their heads as if they’re holding the museum itself.

3. Treasure Gallery

The Treasure Gallery is like nothing you’ve ever seen before. This entire room is dedicated to holding some of the most magnificent riches the world has to offer.

It houses jewelry from all ages, all cultures, and the bases of the room showcases the Russian Imperial Family’s own riches.

Here, you can find jewelry from Ancient Greeks, Royal Scythians, Chinese Dynasties, Eastern ceremonial weapons, Indian, Iranian, and even Roman riches.

The Treasure Gallery has multiple rooms that are dedicated to a particular time and culture.

4. Raphael’s Madonna Conestabile

Raphael is yet another Renaissance artist that has graced our history with magnificent pieces of art.

Yet another Renaissance painter, Madonna Conestabile is one of Raphael’s best artwork. Arguably the highlight of the Hermitage museum, Madonna Conestabile is a very small painting that attracts some of the biggest eyes of the world.

The painting itself isn’t finished, but that makes it even more magnificent. Accompanying the painting is the Holy Family, which resembles yet another painting of a person from one of the Royal Families.

You don’t need to love art nor history to be impressed by the Hermitage museum. However, if you want to learn more before making the trip, then we suggest you visit meisterdrucke.com where you can find literary any historical artist, painter, sculptor, and learn more about the various periods through history.

5. Malachite Room

The Malachite Room was the room where the wife of Nicolas I, Empress Alexandra Fiodorovna, used to draw. The entire room is decorated with mosaics, through a unique mosaic technique that was exclusive to the Russians. The room was also designed by some of Russia’s most prolific and famous designers and decorators.

The room has many artifacts and items from the previous ages, in all colors, and some even from gold.

6. The Main Staircase

The Main Staircase might not sound impressive or worthy of seeing, but trust us it is a unique sight that every person must experience.

made from embellished granite, the staircase of the Hermitageare a work of art. The columns of the staircase are from the classical period and accompanied by classical sculptures from marble and granite.

The staircase is huge, in various golden colors, and nothing alike exists in the world. The path of the staircase is covered with red carpet, whenever a foreign delegation or famous people are visiting.

7. Peacock Clock

This timeless artifact dates back to the 18th century and it is proof of mathematical ingenuity and mechanical brilliance.

The entire artifact consists of three singing birds. The birds include a peacock, a rooster, and an owl, and this artifact is probably the only surviving example of 18th-century mechanics and robotics.

The artifact serves the purpose of being a clock, and it starts the day with chime and various mechanical movements. Both the peacock and rooster have their singing periods, and both display some mechanical movement.

You can find the peacock clock in the Pavilion Hall. The unique of this device is unprecedented, and witnessing the mechanical movements and singing of the clock will be very tricky, as it is only turned on once every Wednesday.

8. The Room of Leonardo da Vinci

Leonardo da Vinci, a Renaissance master, has two of his greatest works in the Hermitage.

Both are displayed at the room appropriately labeled “the Leonardo da Vinci Room”, and the collection consists of the Little Madonna and the Benois Maddona.

The room itself is a work of art, and such perfection could only be graced with da Vinci’s work, said the architect Andrei Stakenshneider.

The room has a very colorful tone, which was made possible by combining jasper, lapis lazuli, marble, and granite. Both the walls and ceiling are colorfully decorated with paintings and each door that leads out and has a resembling decorative style.

Not only should this room be on your bucket list, but the works of art by Leonardo da Vinci are some of the museum’s highlights.

The Hermitage has many more attractions and rooms that everyone should visit. We mentioned that there are more than three million works of art, so singling out the best ones is a trickier task.

The post Hermitage Museum What to See – Top 8 List appeared first on Along the Boards.

Every morning the Jews follow the same routine – the morning prayer that applies to all parts of the life of the Jews.

That routine was first acquired at home and not immediately in the synagogue. However, throughout history, people have become less versed in blessings and increasingly involved in the synagogue. There, the cantor would help those who could not recite by doing it out loud.

Today, many people continue to utter morning blessings, whether at home or in the synagogue – blessings for those most trivial basics of life that everyone takes for granted.

According to religious rules, one should pray three times a day, in the morning, afternoon and evening. It begins with special verses that open the prayer – Pesukei  dezymira. In the prayers, some of the items that you can find here are used.

Before that, blessings are said for thanking God for allowing us to meet our daily needs and perform daily miracles.

Modeh Ani

A short prayer to start every day. It begins by invoking God as the eternal ruler.

Sleep is considered to be a type of death that takes place every night because the soul leaves the body in order to spend time with God. With prayer, we thank God for bringing us back to the world of the living for another day.

It is inappropriate to say the name of God in the morning. The reason for this belief is that we got dirty at night and that we must first wash our hands, which is one of the ritual ceremonies before we can mention God. For this reason, this prayer is the first thing in the morning.

Jews believe that during sleep, people often touch things that are unclean and so get their hands dirty, oblivious to their actions. This means waking up with ritually unclean hands, which is why many people wash their hands immediately after getting out of bed.

Thanks for the Torah

This is a continuation of the morning prayers and is Torah-related. The goal is to realize that it is a blessing to do even the most basic things like getting dressed and lying down, which we take for granted and are inaccessible to many.

Any such action can be interpreted religiously. It is a sign to believers that God is their ruler and that they should appreciate the power that is returned to them every morning after night, which is a “small death.”

Then they show gratitude because God gave Torah to them and only for them. This is followed by a priestly prayer that begs for peace. Thus all blessings are fulfilled.

Mishnah

He goes on with the story and all the good things that Torah has done, about the value of his teachings, his commands are read in detail and are thought through. The last quote is from Talmund and it refers to the commandments and praises of parenthood and again all the good things Torah has done.

Elohai Nesham

Next up is the prayer of Elohai Nesham, thank God for creating everything that exists and helping everyone to be spiritual. The goal is for the human soul to be obedient to God and to be celebrated as the highest level of religiosity.

Nasi

It ends so people pray that they continue to follow the Torah. That ends the rabbi. It aims to protect individuals from evil teachings and influence at all times.

Now Let Us Join Together

It is an increasingly common practice for people to pray together, as a Jewish community, not as an individual. They thank God so much in common and ask him for the basic necessities of life, to give them to them.

God is the protector of the Jewish people and of Israel and always gives me the strength to continue my constant struggle. They thank God most of all because they have reason and wit, the things that really matter most and which make us survive in the world.

That’s not all, thanksgiving goes on for other things like the body, the senses, the freedom to live at will, etc.

The Binding of Isaac

After that, the prayer that has a historical role is moved on, lest it be forgotten what kind of sacrifice the Jews have had throughout their entire existence, only to continue to serve God and one day go to heaven.

Isaac is first mentioned here, though it varies from community to community. L’olam Yehei goes on to talk about the main values ​​and principles of religion.

It continues with the story of creating an everlasting covenant between believers and God. People are thought to be born sinful, but because of the proper life of their ancestors and reverence for the faith, and because God is gracious, they still rejoice and receive the greatest gift – life.

Korbanot

This is the last morning prayer. This is said and explains how the ministry and similar religious matters should be maintained.

This often preceded the sacrifices of animals, which became increasingly rare, especially in temples. Therefore, this prayer can be heard much less often, although it can be found in books and still happens sometimes at morning service.

Finally, parts of the Bible are explained through the specific principles detailed therein.

This is followed by the part where the believers are praying for the rebuilding of the Temple in Jerusalem that was demolished thousands of years ago. When all this is over, the morning prayers are over and we can move on.

Conclusion

We should all be grateful above all for giving us life. After that, health and all the other things we take for granted. Only when we learn and understand it, will we then be able to maximize our appreciation of life and make the most of it that makes us beautiful, pleasant and God-fearing.

The post Jewish Morning Blessings for Waking Up appeared first on Along the Boards.

Keep in mind, many of these items may just be traditional or cultural and not related to what was in the Bible although there are also items that are very important because they have been mentioned in the Bible. Most Jewish people believe that traditional ones are not so important than the ones recorded in the Bible. For example, both the tefillin and the mezuzah have been historically recorded as very important while the Star of David is believed to be completely traditional, shared from generation to generation.

If you want to get to know more about the Jewish culture, tradition, and religion, you should find out the meaning of all of the Jewish objects.

White Robe, Kittel

This white linen robe is mostly worn by Jewish men in more special situations to signify new beginnings or purity. Traditionally, the first time a man needs to wear a Kittel is during his wedding and after that, the man may wear it on some Jewish holidays such as Passover and Rosh Hashanah. It is also often what most men wear during their burial.

Jewish people believe that the white color on this robe is what represents humility and holiness. This is because the High Priest had to wear a simple white linen clothing when entering the Holy of Holies or God wouldn’t accept. This is why traditionally, the people take off all of their complicated, decorated and expensive clothing and wear simple white Kittel on holidays.

However, there is no true law whether a Kittle must be worn during these holidays, however, it has stayed through years and years of tradition that even women today dress in white. The outfits that women wear during the holidays are not Kittel, but they certainly are white. Sometimes, other religious objects are also replaced with a white version.

Naturally, the women during a wedding wear a white wedding dress that represents purity, so to match the bride during this special day, the groom has to wear a Kittel too.

The two black boxes, Tefillin

Phylacteries are the two boxes made from leather that are worn on the forehead and the left arm. Even though there is no certain rule about whether women can wear tefillin too, it is mostly worn by men. While it is still not certain whether the Torah should be understood literally about tefillin, years of tradition have led to Jews wearing these leather straps and boxes on their arm and foreheads. “And you shall bind them as a sign on your arm, and they shall be as frontlets on your head between your eyes.” You can find these at jewish.shop that state when the tefillin are not in used, they must be kept safe somehow, so consider getting a plastic box where you can store it. You can also place it into a silk or velvet bag to avoid scratching the leather.

To properly wear tefillin, you must place one box on your biceps and run the leather strap around your arm. By traditional rules, the strap should reach your fingers, however, reaching the palm is enough too. If you are left-handed, then the box goes on the right arm and if you are right-handed then the box goes on the left one. The next step is to put the other box at the center of your forehead and then tie up at the back of your head with the strap.

After the tefillin is properly adjusted, blessings need to be recited while wearing it. After the whole morning service ends, you may remove both the box on the arm and the one on your forehead.

By following the laws and rules of Jewish traditions, tefillin must be completely handcrafted and kosher which is why the price of such items can reach up to thousands of US dollars.

Mezuzah Parchment

A mezuzah is a small piece of parchment that is inscribed with various verses from the Torah usually written in Hebrew. The parchment is then placed into a decorative case called and then placed on the doorway of a house. Some Jewish people that a mezuzah has to be placed in every single doorway inside of a home. Without a mezuzah, it is believed that a mitzvah cannot be properly fulfilled. The Hebrew verses from the Torah need to be written in black ink with a special quill that’s made from a feather.

Sometimes, the mezuzah can be interpreted as the scroll that is inside the decorative case which attaches to a doorpost and not as the whole package.

The same rules and regulations that apply to the Torah scroll must also be applied to a mezuzah scroll. It must not be written digitally and printed, neither can it be written by a regular pencil or a pen with regular ink. To properly fulfill the commandment, an educated scribe must write every single line of the verse with a quill. Another important thing to note is that the scroll must also come from a kosher animal, usually a goat or a lamb.

The ink that is used for scrolls must also be kosher. Not only has to be kosher but it must be black. And by black, we mean an ink that will stay black after hundreds of years on a scroll. If the color cannot stay black after a few years, it means that is not kosher, so the commandment cannot be fulfilled. There are many different types of kosher ink, so make sure you do proper research before you buy one.

Other Jewish ceremonial objects

• Tallit

A shawl that must be worn during morning services by Jews or on holidays.

• Sheitel

A half wig worn by women to cover their hair because of Jewish Law

• Kippah

A cloth hat worn by Jewish men to fulfill the regulation that the head must be covered.

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The History Of Gardens

Man has always loved to enjoy artistically designed natural spaces – gardens full of plants of various colours, shapes and divine scents. All ancient peoples built gardens modelled on their vision of prosperity in paradise and almost all ancient civilizations had their mythical garden – the Eden of Israel, the Assyrian Eridu or the Holy Forest of the Etruscans.

That is why the gardens they built were primarily religious, magical and mystical. The gardens were hidden behind the high walls of imperial palaces, temples, or monasteries, away from the view of the ordinary, ignorant world. The winding paths bounded by flowers only selected people could walk and rest.

Here, surrounded by the beauty of nature that has been tamed, nurtured and shaped by man, they question the power of their faith. Over time, gardens like these have become places to enjoy and rest. These are the places whose beauty fosters intellectual and artistic creativity.

Modern Gardens

The beauty of these parks, designed and nurtured by extremely talented nature lovers, still captures the sighs of admiration for countless visitors and is an inexhaustible source of diverse inspiration for many artists. Whether decorated in French, English, Italian or Oriental style, public parks and gardens are the perfect blends of the culture of one people and the nature that surrounds it.

That is why every even a short walk in the heart of a noisy modern city strengthens the body and soul. Even if you are on a short trip – do not miss visiting the parks and flower oases. Therefore, if your trip gets you to Madrid soon – be sure to visit the nearest park, where, tired and exhausted from business meetings or sightseeing and shopping, you will find the perfect peace and refreshment. Many of the parks in Madrid are also among the most beautiful parks in Europe.

Gardens And Parks Of Madrid

Like any major city, Madrid has its advantages and disadvantages. To rest your body and mind from everyday stressful life – you need to look for some of the green oases in this city. Fortunately, there are plenty of them, so you can choose the right place to enjoy and relax.

El Retiro

At the site of today’s Retiro Park, there used to be a dense forest where kings hunted. As a park, it has existed since 1630, and since 1868 it has been opened to the public. The famous and widely known El Buen Retiro Park or shorten El Retiro is the central park in the capital of Spain. This magnificent park spans as much as 125 hectares. In addition to more than 15,000 trees, this park is also home to a large number of fountains and the Crystal Hall (El Palacio de Cristal). There is also the famous monument to Alfonso XII in front of which is a magical lake that you can enjoy in small boats. El Retiro boasts a magnificent rose garden where there are seedlings of these flowers from all over the world. Thanks to the Mediterranean climate, roses in Madrid bloom almost throughout the whole year. The men in Madrid are great gentlemen, so you will often see men carrying bouquets of roses to their ladies. And if you want to send flowers to Spain and its capital, check out FloraQueen.

Madrid Rio Park

If you prefer a more urban environment, then this is the right place for you. We can’t exactly call it a park, but it is certainly a place worth mentioning. As the name implies, in Madrid Rio Park you will find the river. The river itself may be a bit disappointing to you. Still,  many other features will certainly make up for this imperfection.

This place was renovated in 2005, and today you can find many, especially sports and recreational facilities. Skate parks, football fields, and outdoor bars are just some of the content that Madrid Rio Park can offer. What makes this place even more famous are the bike trails. Especially since part of the Madrid cycle path stretches mostly through this park. If you want to take a short break but still feel the spirit of an urban city – then this place will appeal to you.

Parque de Oeste

Above the Spanish Square, there is West Park or Parque del Oeste, which is a place with a beautiful view and a place where you can have some peace. The park is known for the 4th century BC Debod Temple, which was donated by Egypt to Madrid in 1970 in gratitude to Spanish archaeologists and engineers who saved many archaeological treasures.

Near the park is a museum with Goya’s frescoes, and from there you can take the cable car to West Park. The cable car ride takes about 11 minutes and the view is spectacular. This cable car connects the Parque de Oeste with the so-called “lungs of Madrid”, the huge park Casa del Campo, which has many attractions such as an amusement park, zoo, etc.

Campo Del Moro

This hidden place is the one you will fall in love with. Definitely one of the top locations in Madrid. This is the park located behind the royal palace. It is one of Madrid’s best-kept secrets. You won’t find many tourists here. This beautiful and elegant place will leave you breathless. It is the perfect place for relaxation in beautiful greenery.

Large gardens and perfectly manicured lawns evoke the spirit of past times. This park was originally designed after the Versailles. It is so huge, that we recommend you to take at least 2 hours to see it.

Wherever you go,  give yourself a little break. Take a deep breath. Take a break and relax from everything. Find your floral and green oasis where your thoughts can wander freely. After that, you will feel much better.

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After lunch with veterans’ associations, the President inaugurates the new monument at 15:45. The memorial is dedicated to soldiers who have died abroad and is located in the Parc André-Citroën. There are 549 names of missing soldiers on the wall nearby. The sculpture depicts six soldiers carrying an invisible casket.

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” We can still speak in France and that is what I am trying to do with my work and this book. France, you love it or you shut up, but the question is there, because every speech that attacks France, and especially when it comes from certain people, creates a lot of tension. When I write a critical speech about France, my country of birth and residence, I have the impression that I am being observed as someone who attacks France and not as a citizen who wants to improve the common good. Who can criticize France at all? “explains the journalist and feminist Rokhaya Diallo.

Denial of Inequality

” There is a Lack of Openness “] to address our diversity “The concepts are there, but we refuse to address them. France strives for universalism, but in reality the French are not treated equally. This refusal prevents the formulation of a French race question. The United States has the advantage of explicitly doing so and of pointing the finger at the consequences of racism, “says the radio-chronicler

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