Religious Customs

Teraphim

The teraphim. In the land of Babylonia, from which Abraham had originally come, there was family worship of household gods, and the home had its altar along with clay figurines of these gods, which were called "teraphim." These family gods served as guardian angels of the home. At the death of a father, these household gods, or teraphim, would ofte...

Read More

Religious Education Under the Mosaic Law

RELIGIOUS EDUCATION UNDER THE LAW The law of Moses was very definite in its requirement that parents must train their children in the knowledge of GOD and His laws. Concerning these divine precepts it said: "Teach them thy sons, and thy sons' sons" (Deuteronomy 4:9). Concerning the carrying out of this commandment, one writer has said: "Religious...

Read More

Seasonal Journeys to the Temple

FAMILY PILGRIMAGES TO THE SANCTUARY A very important part of Hebrew family life was the pilgrimage made to the place of the sanctuary. "Thrice in the year shall all your men children appear before the Lord God, the God of Israel" (Exodus 34:23). The whole family could go, but the male members were required to go on this pilgrimage. The feasts of t...

Read More