Reflective Discussion Post Assignment
INSTRUCTIONS
Write your reflections on why you agree with the classmate post by selecting an idea from the reading, describing your thoughts and feelings about it. (MINIMUM OF 200 WORDS)
CLASSMATE’S POST
The Law of Moses is a general term, typically used to describe the first five books of the Bible, but for some, it can also mean the Ten Commandments. Jewish tradition says there are 613 Mitzvot (Commandments), all located throughout the Five Books of Moses, but there is not necessarily universal agreement on what they are. While I knew about the tradition of 613 commandments, I did not realize that it showed up as a tradition in Jewish writing until after the destruction of the Temple. This is not to say they were not practicing these laws until this time, just that you will not find a statement anywhere in the Bible that says ‘here are your 613 laws to keep’, nor have any writings prior to that timeframe (Temple destruction) surfaced that indicate there was a tradition of 613 mitzvot.
The laws reflected are for civic/religious life (an important note: the Ancient Near East (ANE) had no distinction between civic and religious law), the majority of which are a protasis/apodosis type (if this…/then that…) and apodictic type (thou shalt/thou shalt not). These law types can be seen in other law codes of the ANE as well (Ur Nammu, Hammurapi, Hittites), and reflect a lord/vassal type treaty. The fact these law codes are so similar lends weight to the Bible having been written early, not late, as critics suggest.
More specifically, the Book of Leviticus breaks down the laws into a sacrificial system, inauguration, impurity, holiness, and gifts to the sanctuary. The general theme of this breakdown seems to be removing defilement that separates one from G-d, and restoring fellowship with G-d (interesting side note: a Rabbi pointed out to me G-d does not forgive sins you commit against your fellow until after you make it right; this is also alluded to in the book of Matthew).
I cannot say for certainty why the Law (more specifically, Ten Commandments) is repeated, but my educated guess would be the importance of those commandments. Not stealing, not murdering, honoring your parents, honoring G-d…, these are all simply good rules to live by. The fact they are repeated does not necessarily imply someone else inserted it later. We do the same today, when we want to emphasize something important. When I’m reading a text and something comes up again I tend to take note it might be important (especially if I’m studying for class!); I don’t think another editor came in and re-inserted it.
Write your reflections on why you agree with the classmate post by selecting an idea from the reading, describing your thoughts and feelings about it. (MINIMUM OF 200 WORDS)
CLASSMATE’S POST
The Law of Moses is a general term, typically used to describe the first five books of the Bible, but for some, it can also mean the Ten Commandments. Jewish tradition says there are 613 Mitzvot (Commandments), all located throughout the Five Books of Moses, but there is not necessarily universal agreement on what they are. While I knew about the tradition of 613 commandments, I did not realize that it showed up as a tradition in Jewish writing until after the destruction of the Temple. This is not to say they were not practicing these laws until this time, just that you will not find a statement anywhere in the Bible that says ‘here are your 613 laws to keep’, nor have any writings prior to that timeframe (Temple destruction) surfaced that indicate there was a tradition of 613 mitzvot.
The laws reflected are for civic/religious life (an important note: the Ancient Near East (ANE) had no distinction between civic and religious law), the majority of which are a protasis/apodosis type (if this…/then that…) and apodictic type (thou shalt/thou shalt not). These law types can be seen in other law codes of the ANE as well (Ur Nammu, Hammurapi, Hittites), and reflect a lord/vassal type treaty. The fact these law codes are so similar lends weight to the Bible having been written early, not late, as critics suggest.
I cannot say for certainty why the Law (more specifically, Ten Commandments) is repeated, but my educated guess would be the importance of those commandments. Not stealing, not murdering, honoring your parents, honoring G-d…, these are all simply good rules to live by. The fact they are repeated does not necessarily imply someone else inserted it later. We do the same today, when we want to emphasize something important. When I’m reading a text and something comes up again I tend to take note it might be important (especially if I’m studying for class!); I don’t think another editor came in and re-inserted it.