Holidays and Rituals of Jews and Christians

About the Book

If you want to know the heart and soul of a religion, learn of its holidays. Holidays were originally “holy days”, the days set apart for to focus entirely on religious events and considerations. In this book, Dr. Sidhu puts his years of study and research to use providing both the followers of these religions, and those who stand outside these faiths, with a look into the heart of Judaism and Christianity through their holidays, rituals and customs. Providing both the religious and the secular roots of these two kindred religions, he guides the reader through the history and evolving importance of holidays and rituals in the lives of believers, and the world as a whole, as the originally unique practices of faith have been adopted and transformed for secular purposes. Business, national holidays, regional celebrations and festivals, all have taken Jewish and Christian times of worship and turned into something quite different. In turn, Christianity and Judaism themselves have been transformed by adapting religious practice to make use of their followers evolving cultural inclinations. This is a fascinating, informative, and entertaining explanation of what sets Judaism and Christianity apart in the religions and history of the world. There is information and food for thought for a devoted follower of these religions, as well as for those who stand outside these faiths and desire to understand them better. Dr. Lee A. Brewer Ph.D Pastor Glenmont United Methodist Church Silver Spring Maryland 20906

About the Author

Dr. Salatiel Sidhu is an accomplished speaker and writer. He has served as professor of physics for thirty-two years in a government college in India and other colleges in the state of Punjab, India. He has also served as a deacon and a presbyter in India for several years in Church of North India, Chandigarh Diocese. In the United States, he has been a very active member of Glenmont United Methodist Church in Silver Spring, Maryland, for the last fifteen years. His popular published work in Punjabi features “Christ and Christianity.” He has written and published several stories for Christian readers. He has been a member of the Bible Society of India and greatly contributed in translating the Bible into today’s Punjabi version. While in the United States, he has earned two doctoral degrees in theology, Doctor of Divinity from a theological university in India, and Doctor of Theology from Freedom Bible School College and Seminary, Rogers, Arkansas. He is a committed husband, a loving father, and an exceptionally wonderful grandfather. His work, A Man from the Dusty Streets takes readers to the streets of an extremely underdeveloped village in India. He has shown how God chose him and led him in the hardships of life, when he did not have many opportunities and privileges, and used him for His service as a warrior for Him.