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A large part of the life of the Israelites revolved around the Torah and its mitzvot (commands), at least up until 100 - 200 years ago. Prayers were held three times daily (and still are, among observant Jews), so a significant portion of one's day and one's life was spent in the synagogue. After prayers, one had an opportunity to discuss matters of communal importance.

On Fridays, the entire community would bustle with Sabbath-preparations; and on the Sabbath itself, the town would have a completely different atmosphere than on weekdays. A foretaste of the World to Come.

Communal Torah-classes were held, gratis, every evening before the evening prayers; and a significant number of adult males took it upon themselves to learn Torah full-time all year round. Matters of Torah: the weekly Torah-reading, or a question of Jewish law, or an interesting Midrash, were constantly being discussed among the townsfolk. A completely unlearned Jew was a rarity. Literacy was over 90%.

Acts of kindness were as natural as breathing. Every householder, no matter their level of wealth or the lack thereof, was called upon to give for those who had still less. Someone was constantly making the rounds for a poor bride, firewood for the poor, an indigent traveler, an unemployed laborer, etc.

The above is only the smallest sample of what could be written. And needless to say, it was all done voluntarily, out of pure respect for the Torah and its ways. And it was all done in the face of external persecution.

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13y ago

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