The Great Tradition: The Jewish Little Tradition

According to the text, the Great Tradition refers to the areas of culture which a literate elite systematizes or arranges (Scupin, 2012, p. 158). The elite are the authority figures when it comes to the actual version of religion (Scupin, 2012, p. 158). There are various cultural elements which compose the Jewish Great Tradition. A few are sacred texts, rituals, and prayers. There are several similarities with other groups I have practiced in as wells as observed in the United States. Many of the religions share the common ritual praying when talking to the higher power, or their god/gods. Another similarity between the different religions are sacred texts. For example Muslims read and value the Quran and Christians read and cherish the Holy Bible. The Great Tradition is both similar and different from other religious groups.
159). The Little Tradition comes from the experiences which comes with daily living (Scupin, 2012, p. 159). Two cultural elements which compose the Jewish Little Tradition are the languages spoken and cultural practices. Both vary in the Jewish communities that are located in North and South America, Asia, and Europe (Scupin, 2012, p. 159). The Little Tradition and the Great Tradition complement each other due to them having components that the other does not, such as religion and ethnicity. The Little Tradition facilitated the assimilation of Jewish groups into U.S. mainstream society because it varied widely giving them more opportunities and making it easier for Jewish groups to