Biblical Bravery
This boy who faced off against the colossal Goliath would later become king!
Who is David?
One of the most widely worshipped members of the Hindu pantheon, this deity is not only regarded as "The Destroyer," but also as "The Lord of Dance." No wonder dancing is such a big deal in India - it's a way to connect with the divine!
Who is Lord Shiva?
This coming-of-age ceremony is held for boys on their 13th birthday.
What is a bar mitzvah?
This iconic palace may be in India, but the design is actually Islamic!
What is the Taj Mahal?
Less of a strict religion and more of a set of guidelines, it features what might be considered gods or divine spirits in nature, which are called ____.
What are kami?
Even the mighty King Nebuchadnezzar II and his fiendish furnace couldn't shake the faith of these three youths.
Who are Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego?
This deity with the head of an elephant is also very popular - the son of Shiva and Parvati is also called the Remover of Obstacles and is prayed to for prosperity.
Who is Lord Ganesh?
This holiday was inspired by the story of the rededication of the Second Temple in Jerusalem. After reclaiming it from the Greeks, who had used it to sacrifice pigs to Zeus, they despaired when there was only enough oil to keep the menorah lit for a single day - only to be astounded when it lasted for eight!
What is Hanukkah?
The word for this branch of mathematics comes from Arabic, having been invented by Muslim mathematician and astronomer Al-Khwarizmi in the year 830. "Solve for x in 2x-7=3!"
What is algebra?
Most people around the globe are familiar with this form of wrestling, but don't know it has its origins in the Shinto faith! Matches were included in rituals meant to honor the kami and ask for their blessings.
What is sumo?
It took a lot of bravery for this woman to move in with her mother-in-law after losing her husband. It took even more to journey with her to a foreign land, but it paid off! She caught the attention of a wealthy suitor who changed both their fortunes for the better.
Who is Ruth?
This goddess of spiritual and material wealth is also associated with beauty, purity, and the home.
Who is Lakshmi?
This Jewish holiday is a bit like lent in that they give up leavened bread, processed foods, dried beans, rice, alcohol, and dairy products. It honors the time in which their creator smote the firstborn sons of their slavers and spared their own.
What is Passover?
This mosque, which was the second one built by Muhammad, is absolutely stunning both on the outside and the inside, and can hold up to a million worshippers!
What is Prophet's Mosque?
Fewer people are acquainted with this drum, sometimes referred to as the "heartbeat of Japanese culture," frequently used in ceremonies meant to communicate with deities and purify sacred spaces. However, with the advent of the internet, more and more are finding themselves drawn to performances featuring these powerful instruments!
What is a taiko?
I'm sure this famed king had to put on a brave face when he rendered his judgement in a case involving two women and one baby. What if neither had contested his decision?
Who is King Solomon?
This goddess has gotten a bad rap in Hollywood, but she's not only known as the Dark Mother, but the goddess of time and transcendental knowledge.
Who is Kali?
Most don't realize that sabbath is an Anglicized version of this Hebrew word, which the Jewish community observes on Saturdays instead of Sundays.
What is shabbat?
Many of us couldn't imagine starting our day without this invigorating elixir, but few realize this was the brewing of this delicacy started with Sufi saints in Yemen!
What is coffee?
Even the tea ceremony that has become world famous has its roots in Shinto! This kind of powdered green tea is served, and each ceremony will present you with a unique cup of tea. This is said to remind one of the value of living in the present - like the tea, each moment in life should be savored as it is unlikely to be experienced the same way again.
What is matcha?
This woman is credited with having prevented an entire holocaust! After her cousin discovered a plot hatched by someone in the king's court to eradicate her people, she presented herself before the Persian king and pled for their lives! He was so taken with her beauty that he not only conceded, but made her queen.
Who is Esther?
This beloved god reigns over protection, love and compassion, luring romantic partners with a flute!
Who is Lord Krishna?
This holiday is the day Jewish folks celebrate the birth of all creation and is also considered their New Year.
What is Rosh Hashanah?
Abu al-Qasim al-Zahrawi may have practiced in Spain, but he combined Middle Eastern and Greco-Roman classical teachings to further develop this medical field. He's also known for having invented several medical tools for it, to include forceps and scalpels!
What is operative surgery?
Followers of Shinto believe that Japan was the first country formed by Izanagi, deity of life and creation, and that he did so by stirring the ocean with a _____. After it was withdrawn from the water, drops of crystallized salt fell back into the ocean as islands!
What is a spear?