Monday, June 14, 2010

Purity Codes

An excerpt from Garry Wills, What Jesus Meant (New York: Penguin, 2006), 34-35 has been well publicized in recent years.  I loved it the first time I heard it, and last night came across it again:

(On discussing the Hebrews practices and rules given in the often times confusing "purity codes" found through out Leviticus and other books of the Bible)

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Thank you for doing so much to educate people regarding God's law.  I have learned a great deal from you, and try to share that knowledge with as many people as I can.  When someone tries to defend the homosexual lifestyle, for example, I simply remind them that Leviticus 18:22 clearly states it to be an abomination--end of debate.  I do need some advice from you, however, regarding some other elements of God's laws and how to follow them.

1.  Leviticus 25:44 states that I may possess slaves, both male and female, provided they are purchased from neighboring nations.  A friend of mine claims that this applies to Mexican but not Canadians.  Can you clarify?  Why can't I own Canadians?

2.  I would like to sell my daughter into slavery, as sanctioned in Exodus 21:7.  In this day and age, what do you think would be fair price for her?

3.  I know that I am allowed no contact with a woman while she is in her period of menstrual uncleanliness (Lev. 15:19-42).  The problem is: how do I tell?  I have tried asking, but most women take offense.

4.  When I burn a bull on the altar as a sacrifice, I know it creates a pleasing odor to the Lord (Lev. 1:9).  The problem is my neighbors.  They claim the odor is not pleasing to them.  Should I smite them?

5.  I have a neighbor who insists on working on the Sabbath.  Exodus 35:2 clearly states he should be put to death.  Am I morally obligated to kill him myself, or should I ask the police to do it?

6.  A friend of mine feels that even though eating shellfish is an abomination (Lev. 11:10),  it is a lesser abomination than homosexuality.  I don't agree.  Can you settle this?  Are there degree's of abomination?

7.  Leviticus 21:20 states that I may not approach the altar of God if I have a defect in my sight.  I have to admit that I wear reading glasses.  Does my vision have to be 20/20 or is there some wiggle room?

8.  Most of my male friends get their hair trimmed, including the hair around their temples, even though this is expressly forbidden by Leviticus 19:27.  How should they die?

9.  I know from Leviticus 11:6-8 that touching the skin of a dead pig makes me unclean, but may I still play football if I wear gloves?

10.  My uncle has a farm.  He violates Leviticus 19:19 by planting two different crops in  the same field, as does his wife by wearing garments made of two different kinds of threat (cotton-polyester blend).  He also tends to curse and blaspheme a lot.  Is it really necessary that we go to all the trouble of getting the whole town together to stone them (Lev. 24:10-16)?  Couldn't we just burn them to death at a private family affair, like we do with people who sleep with their in-laws (Leviticus 20:14)?

I know you have studied these things extensively and thus enjoy considerable expertise in such matters, so I am confident you can help.  Thank you again for reminding us that God's word is eternal and unchanging.