At-Risk Students :: essays papers

At-Risk Students Historical Overview Overall â€Å"student performance was lower in the early 1900s than it is today, quite possibly because schools felt much less pressure than they do today to achieve equity and excellence among students† (Rossi, 1994, p.4). While many of the challenges schools encountered during the early 20th century are the same challenges in present day schools, they were not addressed back then because they were not a priority. The focus on equity and excellence that has been developed since the turn of the century is worthy of praise (Rossi, 1994, p.4). Throughout much of U.S. history, the separate and unequal schooling of diverse groups has been reinforced. Ethnicity and class have been perhaps the most obvious basis for discrimination, but other student characteristics, such as gender and disability, have also been used to separate students and place them into appropriate courses regardless of their potential or interest (Rossi, 1994). Soon, reform movements, dating back to the 19th century, to provide all students with a common and equal education that cut across differences in class, ethnicity and religion became a focus. Diversity among students including differences in culture, language and socioeconomic stance is not a new trend. The difference, however, is that today, the school system realizes that all students, including those who differ in some way from the "average" student, or those â€Å"at-risk† must be provided with an equal, opportune education (Morris, 1991). Defining Students At-Risk Sometimes, determining when students are at risk can be a difficult task. The term â€Å"at-risk† has been used to describe a particular category of students who, on the basis of several risk factors, are unlikely to graduate from high school (Land, Stringfield, 2002). Yet educators are also confronted with children who have other at-risk conditions. For example, educators will be responsible for working with students who are at risk due to health problems, substance abuse, disabilities, socioeconomic status and other various reasons. These conditions can make students academically at-risk, or in danger of not meeting their educational potential. The use of the term â€Å"at-risk† to describe learners is often controversial and deserves consideration, as the at-risk label can convey a negative connotation. Causes of At-Risk Conditions Determining the cause of at risk conditions can be helpful and can contribute to the development of reform programs. First, school conditions might actually be creating at-risk conditions. â€Å" Inappropriate instruction, competitive learning environments, ability grouping and hostile classroom environments are just a few ways schools contribute to the problem† (Muller, 2001, p.

Altria Corporation

Altria Group is the mother company of Phillip Morris international (altria, 2007), company known for its dominance in the world of tobacco production. Altria, which means â€Å"tobacco† (Offen, 2006), became the official company name of Phillip Morris Companies since 2003. Today, this company is considered to be the largest tobacco firm in the world market. The company not only caters on the production of tobacco products but also the manufacturing of some food products like Jell-O, Kool-Aid and a lot more since they are part owner of Kraft Foods- ranked second in food production next to Nestle’.Current Situation of the Company By this year, Altria Group is currently ranked 71st in the Fortune Global 500. With a profit of about $12 million and a profit growth rate of 15. 2%, Altria is now playing a good position in the global market (cnnmoney. com, 2007). As compared to other tobacco producers in the market, Altria defeated British American Tobacco, Japan Tobacco and Al tadis. As most of the market analysts, most of the profit of the company is attributed to its international sales.The company sells more abroad than inside US. Based from the company’s quarterly report, on their fourth quarter period sales increased by 13% due to the purchase of Indonesia and Columbia. Last 2006, the total sales of Altria is around 35,000 units and continuously increasing (Burritt, 2006). Currently, some of the bulk of their profits comes from the increase of their tobacco product prices. It is their Marlboro brand that keeps their sales on a smooth track and still remains their â€Å"trade mark†.Marlboro becomes popular in the 1970’s that bring the company on its greatest height. Currently, Altria plans to concentrate solely on the production of tobacco. As of March 30, 2007, Kraft Foods already separated into different business entities, this makes Altria no longer have any interest in Kraft Foods. Impression with the World Wide Operation of A ltria Group Well, the company has indeed a lot of â€Å"right† to claim that they are the best tobacco company internationally.The company has its adequate resources to finance all of its undertaking here and abroad. It is a good thing that this company operates internationally because it supplies the ever increasing demand for tobacco products in other country. If it is not the help of Altria Group, there would be a shortage in the supply of tobacco products giving pressure to its prices to increase significantly harming the consumers since they will have to pay higher price tobacco products that what is socially right.As of now, the existence of Altria Group in the market is beneficial given the current situation of various agents in the market. But for sure, there would come a time wherein the dominance of Altria in the tobacco industry could harm other businesses. It is up to the government to keep track of the performance of the tobacco industry and impose appropriate po licies to equilibrate the market.

Does height matter in the NBA - 2351 Words

Introduction: For the people who dont know, the acronym NBA stands for National Basketball Association. NBAs mission is to be the most respected and successful sports league and sports marketing organization in the world. Basketball popularity has been increasing through out the years and many consider the sport as second most popular in the world. Like every sport basketball, has its share of myths and misconceptions. One of the most popular myths that surround this sport is the height factor. The general population tends to think that height is a key factor when playing this sport. This reports purpose is to clear up the misconception of the height factor that the general population has. Hypothesis: Basketball myths such as You†¦show more content†¦The formula Player Efficiency Rating (PER) sums up a players accomplishments (the statistical ones, anyway) for a season. The ratings are not intended to be the final word on how a player performs, but are designed to inform the debate. (http://www.alleyoop.com). The PER ratings will be taken for the top ten players from the last 3 seasons. This comparison is to show whether height is a factor to become a top-level player or not. There is also a player ranking to show which player fits what category. In this research method, the mean and the standard deviation of the heights and the PER ratings will be taken. The standard deviation of height shows if there is a wide range of variation in the data. If its small then it might indicate that height affects the game. If the range of data is large, then height does not affect it that much. NBA Draft: Picks VS Height: This method is done to find the answer to research question 3. Teams often see good players in college anywhere from 67 to 69 who play in the paint. However, teams are often leery of picking such a player because they are afraid that he will not be able to make the transition from college to the pros. They often label these types of players, tweeners. In other words, they feel that the player does not really have a set position in the pros. This leaves GMs in a bit of a quandary as to what to do.(nbadraft.net) In this research method, the mean and the standard deviation of the heights will beShow MoreRelatedDifferences between Amateur and Professional Basketball Essay658 Words   |  3 PagesCollegiate basketball tends to hold to different rules and regulations than the NBA, but the main facets of the game remains the same. The collegiate game, as opposed to the professional ranks, possesses stricter rules to which the universities, players, and coaches must adhere by. If these entities fail to follow the rules, they stand a good chance of facing harsh punishments. These punishments can range anywhere from fines and player suspensions to probation banning the school from postseason playRead MoreAnalysis : Grit And The Baby Faced Assassin By Kevin Pelton1341 Words   |  6 PagesAny discussion revolving around the two-time NBA MVP and world champion Stephen Curry that doesn’t bring up his rise from an undersized, scrawny point guard to the â€Å"baby-faced assassin† of t he Association are few and far between. Likewise, Kevin Pelton’s excellent article is no exception to the rule. In it, he mentions Curry as one of the prime examples showcasing a new definition of â€Å"grit† postulated by University of Pennsylvania Professor Angela Duckworth: coining it as â€Å"passion and perseveranceRead MoreWomen s National Basketball Association Essay1481 Words   |  6 Pagesfrom the National Basketball Association, more commonly, the NBA. Now in its 20th season under the direction of league president Lisa Borders, the regular season is played from June to September with the playoffs spanning through the remainder of September into the middle of October. Although they have the full backing from the NBA, there are still a few discrepancies between the two leagues. Even though WNBA games are not as exciting as NBA games, the players of the WNBA deserve equal pay because theRead MoreLetT Set A Scene Essay1410 Words   |  6 PagesHis high school played against schools like Montverde Academy, Saint Andrews, Cardinal Gibbons, etc. All schools who had produced NBA talent like D’Angelo Russell, Ben Simmons, Joel Embiid, Brandon Knight, etc. Now at 5 foot 10 he couldn’t even be on the same court as these players. The story doesn’t lead to him being better than these players in any way, however it does show the kid competing with these players and going out of his way to guard these stars despite again being over a foot smaller andRead MoreDennis Rodman Essay1765 Words   |  8 Pagesbigger star than he was just off his accomplishments. Some people could even argue the fact by some of his bizarre events he was able to generate a bigger salary for NBA contract as well too. By fully understanding Dennis Rodman we, will know who he is, where he comes from, then ask what makes him do the things he does, and why he does it? Dennis Rodman was originally born on May 13, 1961 in Trenton, New Jersey but grew up in Dallas, Texas around the Oak Cliff neighborhood time was considered toRead MoreJeremy Lin s Cultural Identity1961 Words   |  8 PagesUniversity was signed to the historic NBA franchise of the New York Knicks. Not many people paid attention to this signing as there was a strong likelihood that in two months he could be waived and no longer have a spot on the team. Yet, just two months later Lin would go on to lead the Knicks to numerous victories, including a 38 point performance against the Los Angeles Lakers and legend Kobe Bryant. The unheralded prospect revitalized a floundering organization in a matter of weeks; though this prosperityRead MoreAnalysis Of The Movie Summer Ball 1665 Words   |  7 Pagesare. Danny describes the camp as a little village that somebody carved out of a forest,, except it is full of basketball courts. The camp has log cabins, a large gym, and bunk houses where all of the boys sleep. Each bunk house is named after an NBA arena. The camp sits on the shore of a huge lake, but Danny and his friends don t get to spend much time on the lake because they spend all of their time on the courts. Right Ways location is significant because all of the boys are far away fromRead MoreThe Mindsets Can Cope With The Failure Of The Difference Way1130 Words   |  5 Pagesmindset which is people think that the intelligent, smart, high potential of learning is the natural ability. It has already in their body when they was born and this abilities never change. You are smart or not that who you are. It never change no matter how hard you try. In the growth mindset, it s very opposite with the other one. You can be success, smart, and intelligent through keep learning, improving through effort, and hard-work every day. People never give up even when they meet so manyRead MoreIs It Right for Celebrities to Make a Lot of Money?2982 Words   |  12 PagesEmine m because of the hardships he went through to make it big. He may not be teaching children how to add and subtract, or how to read and write, but instead he is teaching them a lesson they can use in life. The lesson he is teaching them is that no matter how hard ones life can be they must find something they enjoy and pursue it until they can make something of their lives. Eminem landed at Number Five with estimated net earnings of $28.9 million. The rappers earnings came from touring, his highlyRead More Is it right for celebrities to make a lot of money? Essay2943 Words   |  12 PagesEminem because of the hardships he went through to make it big. He may not be teaching children how to add and subtract, or how to read and write, but instead he is teaching them a lesson they can use in life. The lesson he is teaching them is that no matter how hard ones life can be they must find something they enjoy and pursue it until they can make something of their lives. â€Å"Eminem landed at Number Five with estimated net earnings of $28.9 million. The rappers earnings came from touring, his highly

The Political Philosophies Of Thomas Hobbes And John Locke

The purpose of this essay will be to thoroughly compare and contrast the political philosophies of Thomas Hobbes and John Locke. At the surface, these two scholars seem to offer contradictory models of political order, while at the same time relying on similar views of human nature. These men published their most famous offerings, Hobbes’ Leviathan and Locke s Second Treatises of Government, during an era of developing capitalism and market mechanisms. I will discuss the role of the emerging social and economic principles played in the way each scholar accounted for and show how the social and economic relations of early capitalism clearly defined the political theories of each scholar. I will conclude this essay by showing how each man arrived at his theory of political order despite their many similarities. John Locke is a modern philosopher who is frequently associated with the teachings of capitalism due to the emphasis placed on private property rights in his book Second Treatise of Government. C.B. Macpherson offers a rather interesting interpretation of the account of property found in Locke’s writings. In his book The Political Theory of Possessive Individualism, Macpherson makes the case that Locke provides a positive moral basis for a capitalist society (Macpherson, 1962 pg. 221). Thomas Hobbes’ Leviathan, although a highly influential work for early political philosophy, is in fact, quite vague on any form of economic theory. Hobbes’ is perhaps most famous forShow MoreRelatedEssay about Phi-286 Mod 3 Wa 1827 Words   |  4 PagesIndependence) follows from John Lockes theory of government? Could it follow from Hobbess theory of government? Under what circumstances? Thomas Jeffersons theory of revolution seems to follow specific criteria from Thomas Hobbes original foundation, which was further expanded upon by John Locke and ultimately fine tuned by Thomas Jefferson. To get an understanding how these three philosophies follow one another, we must begin at the documented source; Thomas Hobbes. Thomas Hobbes lived during revolutionaryRead MoreImpact Of Thomas Hobbes During The Age Of Absolutism1009 Words   |  5 PagesThomas Hobbes During the Age of Absolutism The Age of Absolutism was a time during the 16th to 19th centuries where many political, religious and colonial conflicts were rising. Some philosophers began to analyze the ideas of their civilizations in depth toward the end of this time period as it led into the Age of Enlightenment. One of these philosophers was Thomas Hobbes. He had quite a few accomplishments during his lifetime including writing many books and supporting the popular belief thatRead MoreEssay On John Locke And Thomas Hobbes1076 Words   |  5 Pages John Locke and Thomas Hobbes John Locke and Thomas Hobbes, two English Enlightenment philosophers, were both very influential politically and philosophically despite having almost opposite beliefs. While each individually influenced later documents and events such as the Declaration of Independence and the American Revolution, they had an equally big impact in history. Today, everyone recognizes natural rights and the modern system of government uses social contracts every day. Thomas HobbesRead MoreThomas Hobbes And John Locke1426 Words   |  6 PagesBy the second half of the 17th Century, England would experience one of the bloodiest conflicts in its history, ultimately serving to influence some of the most phenomenal political philosophers in Europe --Thomas Hobbes, and John Locke. England was in constant unrest, choosing new forms of government almost on a whim in desperate attempts to restore order in the Country. The English Civil War in 1642 etched a legacy of dread in the people of England, and the war only appeared more disastrous andRead MoreJohn Locke s The Second Treatise Of Civil Government977 Words   |  4 PagesMadeline Boche Dr. Thorn Philosophy 1301.040 24 March 2017 John Locke’s The Second Treatise of Civil Government In John Locke’s The Second Treatise of Civil Government, Locke discusses what the moral state of nature is and rejects the idea of a â€Å"divine right of kings.† John Locke was a product of the best schools in England and had a heavy impact on Western thought through his writings. As a Christ Church graduate, Locke largely discusses in his writings the state of nature, the concept of naturalRead MoreThe Political Philosophies Of Thomas Hobbes913 Words   |  4 PagesAisha Gupta Mr. Ochs World History/Block F 15 December 2014 Philosophers and Philosophies The political philosophies of Thomas Hobbes, John Locke, and Karl Marx all vary in their political philosophies: Thomas Hobbes focused on the power with one, central, absolute monarch, â€Å"upon one man† or â€Å"one assembly of men†; John Locke emphasized that government not rule over the natural rights of every being, and that they are apart from â€Å"any superior power†; and Karl Marx outlined the government leading economicRead MoreThe Social Contract Theories Of Thomas Hobbes And John Locke1210 Words   |  5 PagesMahogany Mills Professor: Dr. Arnold Political Philosophy 4 February 2015 Compare and contrast the social contract theories of Thomas Hobbes and John Locke In the beginning of time, there was no government to regulate man. This caused a burden on society and these hardships had to be conquered, which is when a social contract was developed. The social contract theory is a model that addresses the questions of the origin of society and the legitimacy of the authority of the state over an individualRead MoreCompare and Contrast the Philosophies of John Locke, Thomas Hobbes, and Karl Marx843 Words   |  4 Pagesthe Philosophies of John Locke, Thomas Hobbes, and Karl Marx In the idea of human nature; origin of state, the nature of government, the rights of regulation can be drawn as the reflection of insightful philosophies of John Locke, Thomas Hobbes and Karl Marx. By understanding this within the context of human nature, we can see their ideas play to how they perceive a modern philosophy. Karl Marxs Communist Manifesto illustrates the desire to build a society without economic classes. John LockesRead MoreTwo Sided Coin: Thomas Hobbes vs. John Locke Essay905 Words   |  4 Pages Two-sided coin: Thomas Hobbes vs. John Locke There are always two-sides everything including people and the government, kind of like science vs. faith view. With Thomas Hobbes and John Locke, they give the impression to be on opposite sides when it comes to people, society and the government even and yet both were Englishmen. Hobbes was born 5 April 1588 and died 4 December 1679; he is best known today for his work on political philosophy. While John Locke was 29 August 1632 and died 28 OctoberRead MoreJohn Locke And Thomas Hobbes1287 Words   |  6 PagesIn order to run a proper political system, one must know how to balance and consider the nature of humankind and their rights. John Locke and Thomas Hobbes were both political philosophers who developed theories about how the government should work. They set up their theories around The Natural Law and the Social Contract Theory. Although John Locke and Thomas Hobbes had a similar goal, their beliefs and opinions were definitely not the same. John Locke and Thomas Hobbes both believed in the Natural

Television Violence Essay example - 2283 Words

Along the coast of Maryland, just inside the state lines of Virginia lies the Quantico Naval Base, home to a fictional investigative team lead by the unpredictable Leroy Jethro Gibbs. The ever popular television show, NCIS, focuses on solving crimes with naval victims. These crimes have one thing in common: violence. In 2005, some workers at Quantico find a â€Å"meat puzzle† (C. Schulenburg 9) hidden within barrels of toxic material. During this episode the viewer is able to see a massacred body, sliced into many pieces, displayed on multiple tables in the NCIS morgue (C. Schulenburg 9). A year later, an episode of NCIS aired showing an explosion of characters while golfing (Update: T.V. Violencce). Violence did not originally appear on†¦show more content†¦Torr 64). After near exhaustion of the criminal theme, medical dramas began to dip their toes into the pool of television programming. The seemingly chaotic kindling of crime on television sent the content of prog ramming into a regrettable downward spiral of quality. The same old violence was no longer as entertaining, which caused networks to increase the magnitude of the violence on their shows (J. Torr 66) in order to continue engaging viewers. This progression has brought programming to where it lies now: in trouble. The effects and solutions to the violence displayed on television are important due to the ever increasing viewer base of certain types of programming. Through a sundry of studies, spanning many years, from several sources, comes the debate on just what all this violence displayed for anyone and everyone to see is doing to the viewers and how we can solve it. Desensitization is a very insidious process which leads one to a greater acceptance of violence with less sympathy for those who become victim to the violent acts (Television Violence). Researchers Comstock and Paik believe there are four areas that decide if what is being watched will affect the viewer (J. Osofsky 82). The first of these four—and the one of the reasons that society is starting to accept violence—is efficacy. â€Å"Efficacy relates to whether the violence on the screen is rewarded or punished,† (J. Osofsky 83). There is almost no punishment seen in programs after aShow MoreRelatedTelevision : Violence And Television1187 Words   |  5 Pages Violence and television We live in a society where violence is globalized through films and advertisements. The individual American is exposed to 200,000 advertisements in a day, where Hollywood films portray violence as entertainment and fun, films where bullies and gangs stand out as role models, on the other hand, Hollywood is the main reason kids think, violence is cool and fun. Growing up in a home where I was the youngest boy child in the family. I grew up watching television with myRead MoreViolence on Television Essay1341 Words   |  6 PagesViolence on Television Most people in our society generally have the opinion that violence on television increases aggression in children and adolescents. Does it ? Who is to say whether television has a positively direct effect or a positive correlation ? However, the majority of the people who have researched this topic have discovered that violence on television is indeed one of the prime factors contributing to the increase in violent and aggressive behavior among the youth in societyRead More Violence On Television Essay1023 Words   |  5 Pages nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;The issue of television violence and its influence on children’s behavior troubles me. Television violence seems to be becoming abundant and violence seems to be increasing. This may be a dangerous form of entertainment, especially when young children become involved. The majority of television programs viewed by children contain large amounts of violence and inappropriate material. Children’s vulnerability poses as the main problem due to desensitization. Psychologists’Read MoreViolence And Sex On Television898 Words   |  4 Pages Violence and Sex on Television: Effects on the Younger Audience In today’s society, the media is used greatly for communication, advertisement, information, and for numerous other reasons. The world has evolved by technological advances as well as by the type of content that is put out on the internet, radio, and especially on television. In particular, violence and sex are two of the most controversial content types that have been recently used loosely in the present as compared to theRead MoreEssay Television Violence627 Words   |  3 PagesTelevision Violence Violence is one of the most primary and controversial issues in today’s society. And true that violence is on the rise. A major concern for many parents is the violence within television shows and movies, and the effect on children’s aggression. I particularly do not believe that violence in television affects children’s aggression, but who am I to say such a thing, for I am not a qualified psychologist. But I have many reasons for my accusation and references to back itRead MoreViolence on Television Essay456 Words   |  2 PagesAmerican culture is infatuated with violence. Childhood, education, and families are affected by violent television. News reported a child causing a fire that burnt down their house. While the mother was out to get something from the store, she came back and saw that her son is outside while the house is still burning. The little boy blamed himself for the fire. She said it wasnt her sons fault, but she blamed a cartoon called, Beavis and Butthead. How could this be? The mother claimed thatRead More Violence on Television Essay1833 Words   |  8 Pages quot;There was murderers going around killing lots of people and stealing jewelry.quot; This quote comes from the mouth of an eight year old girl after watching the evening news on television. The eight year old girl claims that she is afraid quot;when there is a murder near because you never know if he could be in townquot; (Cullingford, 61). A recent report from the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) pools evidence from over 2,500 studies within the last decade on over 100,000Read More Television Violence Essay3780 Words   |  16 Pages Television violence and its effects on viewers has been a controversial issue for many years. Some viewers believe that there is an increasingly large amount of violence on television and this widespread public concern has quot;led to calls for stricter controls on the depiction of violence in programmesquot; (Gunter and McAleer 1990:92). Exactly how much violence is there on television though? Many cultivation theorists have studied this, acquiring data in the form of content analysis. TheyRead More Television Violence Essay1326 Words   |  6 PagesTelevision Violence On April 20, 1999, a tragic event took place in an environment where children should feel safe. At Columbine High School in Littleton, Colorado, twelve students and one teacher were tragically gunned down by two boys, one seventeen years old, and one eighteen years old. Recently in Michigan, a first grader brought a gun to school and shot and killed a fellow classmate. These tragedies can be seen as a result of many different factors, such as violence in the home, accessRead More Television Violence and Domestic Violence Essay2548 Words   |  11 PagesWe examined the various forms of television violence and domestic violence in America. We provided statistics showing the amounts of violence facts about adolescent exposure. We compared and contrasted the differing effects of both and implemented a study to analyze the similarities. We observed children and gathered data regarding their response to specific kinds of violence and the psychological effects of each. We expected that the effects of television violence and domestic would be strikingly

Rawls Summary Free Essays

Justice as Fairness Rawls first begins with discussing how we are lead to the original position. The original position is a hypothetical argument that considers a society where people do not decide what is right or wrong based on a higher power or emotion, but rather on common sense. These ideas establish justice or fairness simply based on the community’s beliefs that they create. We will write a custom essay sample on Rawls Summary or any similar topic only for you Order Now However, these agreements cannot be made without the â€Å"veil of ignorance. † This means that all instances that would create a distortion of views must be ruled out. Thus, the people discussing what the rules will be cannot have any information about the other individual, or the society’s position. The hypothetical argument is contingent on all things being fair and equal, which means that all people involved in crating the beliefs must be free of any preconceived ideas. Another part of the equality of this situation is that every member of a society, including the minority, must be treated fairly. Rawls stated that every citizen had basic liberties and human rights that must be protected. He believed that societies need to protect the least advantaged citizen in order to be successful. We determine which citizens are least advantaged based on if they possess primary goods. Primary goods are what is needed to be a functioning and contributing member of society. These things are not necessarily monetary, but rather on psychological capabilities, historical facts, social capabilities, as well as, moral abilities being free and equal. Rawls believe that the five most important primary goods that determine advantage are basic rights and liberties, freedom to choose, responsibility, income and self respect. These things can make this hypothetical a reality and a society fair as equals. Let us begin with how we might be led to the original position and the reason for not using it. Now this agreement, like any other, must be entered into under certain conditions if it is to be a valid agreement from the point of view of political justice. Contingent historical advantages and accidental influences from the past should not affect an agreement or principles that are to regulate the basic structure from the present into the future. Social and economic inequalities are to satisfy two conditions: first, they are to e attached to offices and positions open to all under conditions of fair equality to opportunity; and second, they are to be to the greatest benefit of the least-advantaged members of society. These revisions in the second principle are merely stylistic. To accomplish its aims, certain requirements must be imposed on the basic structure beyond those of the system of natural liberty. A list of basic liberties are drawn up in two ways. To answer these questions we introduce the idea of primary goods. Income and wealth, understood as the purpose of all means. How to cite Rawls Summary, Essay examples

Kabbalah free essay sample

Inner Light Kabbalah Research Paper Judaism is the foundation for many other religions, particularly the study of Kabbalah. There are many references to mysticism and mystical experiences in Judaic teachings, including prophetic dreams and visions and interactions with G-d and angels. Ancient Jews were not allowed to even study these teachings until they completed their study of the Torah after the age of forty. And, then, Kabbalah was studied by only a select few who could truly understand its meanings and power. Kabbalah tries to answer the theological questions of heaven and hell, life after death, our reason for existence, G-d and the universe. What sets Judaism and Kabbalah apart is the way the Holy Scriptures are interpreted. Kabbalah followers believe that there are hidden meanings in the Holy Scriptures and once they understand those they will be granted divine status. Known as a form of Jewish mysticism, Kabbalah is unique in its beliefs and practices and is like no other organized mainstream religion. We will write a custom essay sample on Kabbalah or any similar topic specifically for you Do Not WasteYour Time HIRE WRITER Only 13.90 / page Followers of Kabbalah, known as Kabbalists, believe that G-d taught the secrets of the Holy Scriptures to a group of angels. Those angels came down to earth in human form and taught the religion to the Israelites. Writings of the Kabbalah date back to the first centuries B. C. E. While Judaism is based on the Torah, Kabbalah has a completely different interpretation of the Holy Scriptures. The Torah is the laws and teachings of Judaism. It is also known as the Books of Moses or the first five books of the Old Testament, which include Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, and Deuteronomy. Kabbalah scriptures include the Book of Zohar or Book of Splendor. The Zohar is a five-volume mystical commentary on the Torah. The Book of Zohar was presented in the thirteenth century by Moses De Leon who claimed the book contained the mystical writings of the second century sage Rabbi Shimon Bar Yohai. Almost all modern academic scholars believe that De Leon wrote the text himself, but Orthodox Kabbalists accept his claim that Bar Yohai wrote them. Kabbalah also studies the teachings in the scripture Sefer Yetzirah, or the Book of Formation, which talks about Creation. Some believe that Abraham, who is known as the father of the Jewish people, wrote Sefer Yetzirah. Kabbalistic study includes a Sephiroth Tree, which organizes the ten basic principals of life. Kabbalah teaches that immortality can be obtained through the understanding of the letters and numbers included in the Holy Scriptures. The hidden meanings in the numbers and letters can only be understood with magical powers. Kabbalists believe that the truth of G-d and the universe can be found in the Sephirot Tree of Life. It organizes and pictures the ten numbers that are the working principals of life. Each of the branches is interconnected and is how G-d interacts with the universe. The ten branches correspond to the qualities of G-d. Kabbalists believe that when the tenth branch is reached, the soul can enter immortality and know G-d. Kabbalists believe that G-d is transcendent and fills every void in both the spiritual universe and the physical universe. The structure of the Sephiroth Tree of Life is important. There are three columns and the roots of the tree are above the branches. The ten Sefirot includes both masculine and feminine qualities. Kabbalah emphasizes the feminine aspects of G-d. The ten branches are: 1 Kether Being/Existence (Will/Selflessness) 2 Chochmah Wisdom (Pure Thought/Connectedness) Binah Intelligence/Understanding (Differentiation/Repentance) 4 Chesed Mercy/Love (Compassion/Healing) 5 Geburah Strength/Severity (Discipline/Boundaries) 6 Tiphareth Beauty (Balance/Harmony) 7 Netzach Firmness (Leadership/Conference) 8 Hod Glory (Dependence/Vulnerability) 9 Yesod Foundation (Union of Male and Female) 10 Malkuth Kingdom Divine (Exile/Physical) There are three different divi sions of Kabbalah Prophetic, Theosophical, and Practical. Prophetic Kabbalah contains detailed instructions for meditative practices, as well as philosophical explanations of what is going on when those practices work. Prophetic Kabbalists believe that language is the core structure of creation and that the meaning of life can be discovered through language. Theosophical Kabbalah explains the nature of G-d, his relationships to man, and how the world was created. In essence, Theosophical Kabbalah aims to explain the structure of this universe that we live in. â€Å"The critical error all of us make, because of how beautifully human nature is designed, is that we suppose that form is separate and real. † Lastly, Practical Kabbalah examines the different experiences that humans go through in their lives. Practical Kabbalists believe in angels and demons, ways to influence the appearance of G-d, fortune telling and understanding ones past lives. The three sections of Kabbalah all have their own specific philosophies yet they are all still linked with the core beliefs of general Kabbalah. Many philosophers and Rabbis have contributed to the growth of Kabbalah throughout time. Abraham Abulafia was one of the first visionary Kabbalah teachers. He was most well known for being a wandering mystic and teacher throughout Spain during the thirteenth century. Moshe Cordovero created the first real school of Kabbalah in Israel in the sixteenth century and laid the groundwork for Kabbalistic thought. During the eighteenth century in Poland, Rabbi Israel Baal Shem Tov founded Hasidism, which is the ultra-orthodox movement based on many of the Kabbalah teachings. Many passages from Kabbalistic sources are still included in traditional Hasidic prayer books. Beginning in the twentieth century, Jews of other denominations besides Hasidism and many non-Jewish followers began to study and practice Kabbalah. However many traditional Jews do not take Kabbalah and its study of mysticism very seriously. One prominent Orthodox scholar said, its nonsense, but its Jewish nonsense, and the study of anything Jewish, even nonsense, is worthwhile. Prayer is an important part of Kabbalah. Kabbalists pray in Hebrew since it is the original language of God. Shabbat is celebrated as the day of rest in the Jewish religion and is a day of quiet, solitude, and reflection. Regardless of one’s belief in the mysticism of the ancient texts, Kabbalah allows a person to feel connected to G-d and the universe in a contemplative and personal way. Kabbalah is truly unique in its beliefs and practices. Works Cited Melton, J. Gordon. The Encyclopedia of American Religions. Wilmington, NC: McGrath Pub. , 1978. Gale Cenage. Web. 12 May 2013. The Kabbalah Centre.   The Kabbalah Centre. N. p. , n. d. Web. 11 May 2013. lt;http://www. kabbalah. com/gt;. Kabbalah.   Kabbalah. N. p. , n. d. Web. 11 May 2013. lt;http://www. jewishvirtuallibrary. org/jsource/Judaism/kabbalah. htmlgt;. Kabbalah and Jewish Mysticism. Judaism 101. N. p. , n. d. Web. 13 May 2013. lt;www. jewfaq. org/kabbalah. htm? gt;. Kabbalah amp; Mysticism in Jewish Thought. N. p. , n. d. Web. 13 May 2013. lt;http://www. myjewishlearning. com/beliefs/Theology/Kabbalah_and_Mysticism. shtmlgt;. |