The Concise Oxford Dictionary of World Religions (368 page)

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Authors: John Bowker

BOOK: The Concise Oxford Dictionary of World Religions
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Bethel
.
Town approximately 10 miles north of Jerusalem. According to Genesis,
Abraham
built an altar between Bethel and Ai (12. 6–8), and
Jacob
had a vision of
angels
ascending and descending on a ladder stretching between heaven and earth (28. 10–22). The name Bethel means literally ‘house of God’ and the place was said to have been so called by Jacob.
Bet Hillel
.
One school of Jewish interpretation of the oral
law
. It is frequently contrasted with the other school, Bet Shammai. The schools existed in the 1st and 2nd cents. CE, and
tannaitic
literature records many of the controversies. In general, Bet Hillel was considered to be the more lenient of the two.
Bethlehem
.
Town located 5 miles south of Jerusalem. On the basis of Micah 5. 2, Jesus' birth in the city is understood by Christians as the fulfilment of prophecy (Matthew 2. 1–12; Luke 2. 1–20).
Bet mishpat
:
Betrothal
(in Judaism)
:
Bet Shammai
:

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