Welcome to my Hebrew reading & language series.
Exodus 23:8-13
We continue with Elohim (God) obviously ruling out injustice by saying...
No taking bribes, for it blinds the clearsighted and subverts the case of the right.
Do not oppress the gare (sojourner), you could also say 'outsider' - because you know what it is like to be an outsider. You were outsiders in Egypt.
Then Elohim explains the reasons for giving the land a year off after six years of working it.
- the land rests and lays fallow
- the poor people can eat
- the animals can eat
Then for those who do not have fields, He says that the same thing goes for people with orchards and vineyards.
We heard, in the first ten, that we are to "Keep the Sabbath Holy" and today we hear that one of the rules for this Holy Day (Holiday) is to rest. Work six days and you shall rest on the seventh, so your ...
- ox and donkey can rest
- son of your female servant can rest
- and the gare (alien) can be refreshed
The last one for today was one I did not remember reading. Elohim tells us to be attentive to what he says and Shem elohim aharim (name of other gods) you are not to mention, he is not to be heard on your mouth.
I am pretty sure all Americans have broken this last one without realizing it. I myself never bowed down to one of them or worshiped it, as per the 10 commandments, but I know some of the names and used to say then when describing what buddhists worship. I have also heard that Elohim is a jealous God, so that is something to think about.
Counting the rules past 'ten'.
Our General list is up to 64.
And our Strict list is at 153.
Today's Reading
English
And you shall take no bribe, for a bribe blinds the clear-sighted and subverts the cause of those who are in the right."
"You shall not oppress a sojourner. You know the heart of a sojourner, for you were sojourners in the land of Egypt."
"For six years you shall sow your land and gather in its yield, but the seventh year you shall let it rest and lie fallow, that the poor of your people may eat; and what they leave the beasts of the field may eat. You shall
do likewise with your vineyard, and with your olive orchard."
"Six days you shall do your work, but on the seventh day you shall rest; that your ox and your donkey may have rest, and the son of your servant woman, and the alien, may be refreshed."
"Pay attention to all that I have said to you, and make no mention of the names of other gods, nor let it be heard on your lips."
Hebrew
Next week, three feasts per year...
Info on each letter starting at the beginning
If you are just starting, my lessons are all here starting at Alef, adding vowels (the dots and lines) as we go. I explain the meaning of each letter and its numerical value. Just go to my blog and scroll to the bottom or click here.
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