USE THE SOURCES GIVEN, USE QUOTES!!
In this prompt, I want you to compose a 500-word essay that articulates the meaning of the Fire Sacrifice. This activity has helped you articulate at least two distinct views about the meaning of the ritual. Either we can say something about the meaning of the ritual based on the Vedic hymns or we advocate Frits Staal’s position (see questions above). In this essay, you need to PICK ONE path forward and defend your choice. As always you should defend your argument by citing evidence from our primary and secondary sources. Staal, “The Meaninglessness of Ritual” (#04 under Unit 7 Resource Folder) Selection of Vedic Hymns: “I Pray to Agni” and “The Hymn of the Primeval Man” Sources to use: Sources to use: Frits Staal, Altar of Fire (1976) (45 mins.) (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RYvkYk7GvJ0)
In this exercise, I want you to draft a 500-word essay on how context illuminates the meaning of Amichai’s poem, “God’s Change, Prayers are Here to Stay.” Your essay should draw on your close reading of the poem itself as well as the background established by the Jewish Siddur prayers and the short description of Jewish prayer by the late Lord Rabbi Jonathan Sacks. Sources to use: “Understanding the jewish prayer” jewish prayer
Imagine that you are the Apostle Paul encountering the Roman Catholic Mass (as described in the Order of the Mass). Write a 500-word essay from the perspective of the Apostle Paul that compares and contrasts the Mass with the New Testament depictions of the Lord’s Supper. In your essay, you should evaluate whether—from your perspective (Paul’s!)—the Mass is a faithful or unfaithful adaptation of early Christian ritual. Sources to use: mark 14:12-26 of the bible, 1 corinthians 11:17-33 of the bible, McGowan, “Meal: banquet and eucharist
