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Post by alon on Aug 15, 2014 21:47:39 GMT -8
15. It is a negative commandment to eat or drink nothing from an offering to an idol.
Sh'moth 34:12 (OJB) Be shomer over thyself, lest thou make a brit with the inhabitants of HaAretz whither thou goest, lest it be for a mokesh (snare) in the midst of thee;
Exodus 34:12 (CJB) Be careful not to make a covenant with the people living in the land where you are going, so that they won't become a snare within your own borders.
Sh'moth 34:15 (OJB) Lest thou make a brit with the inhabitants of HaAretz, and they go awhoring after eloheihem, and do sacrifice unto eloheihem, and one invite thee, and thou eat of his zevach (sacrifice, i.e., participate in his pagan worship);
Exodus 34:15 (CJB) Do not make a covenant with the people living in the land. It will cause you to go astray after their gods and sacrifice to their gods. Then they will invite you to join them in eating their sacrifices,
Included in this is wine that was offered as libation to an idol. From an offering to an idol and wine of libation to an idol it is forbidden to have any benefit. ... From their [the heathens] general, unspecified wine it is forbidden to have any benefit by the law of the sages ... . If a heathen deliberately touched the wine of a Jew, it is forbidden to have any benefit from it. And it is forbidden to eat at the feast of a heathen which he makes at the wedding of his son or daughter, in their company. Even if he eats his own food and a servant of his stands and attends upon him, it is forbidden.
Note: the punishment is flogging.
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Post by alon on Aug 15, 2014 22:27:13 GMT -8
15. It is a negative commandment to eat or drink nothing from an offering to an idol. This one requires a little discussion.
I take this to mean you couldn't drink from a bottle of wine if any is offered as a libation to an idol. This was (and still is) a common pagan custom, to spill a little "to the gods." We used to do it, and thought we were smart. In fact, I'd say if this is or does happen, you shouldn't be there. I wish now I'd had the good sense to leave, as it would have saved me a few major and minor health and other problems. What we do here has both spiritual and physical consequences.
I know, these sages were men, and we aren't bound by the laws of men; except we are! Mat 23:1-3a Then Yeshua addressed the crowds and his talmidim: "The -teachers and the P'rushim," he said, "sit in the seat of Moshe. So whatever they tell you, take care to do it.These sages were Godly men who studied the law, and while those of the second century onward did get a little extreme, I think it is foolish, if not downright disrespectful and disobedient not to consider what they say! And when you think about it, selling wine (or anything) you know will be used as a sacrifice to idols is to become a business partner to the enemy!
I know, we immediately come up against the practicality of a merchant determining what his products will be used for; not to mention the law, the ACLU, and the local witches coven! My only advice is if you can legally determine the use and refuse service, then the ACLU and witches can (and will) go to the hot place! You serve God. But now you ask "Isn't God bigger than the law too?" Yes, but He also taught to obey the law, which in this case I suspect is the higher mitzvah. But I really don't know where to draw the line here. Suggestions ...
I'm guessing this might be because he could say a prayer dedicating it to his god ... ? Maybe his entire business is dedicated to his god, and so when you purchase and consume his wares you inadvertently become a part of his pagan worship. Regarding food, it is common in many oriental restaurants to place a portion from the first rice bowl of the day in a bowl in front of a Buddha- often seen as you enter the establishment, but we give no thought to it. We are just not trained to think like this. And yes, it is inconvenient, and difficult to retrain our thoughts. But we are either all in or all out. Nowhere does it say to pick up just a piece of your cross and tag along for a while. It says pick the thing up and follow!
Luke 9:23 Then to everyone he said, "If anyone wants to come after me, let him say `No' to himself, take up his execution-stake daily and keep following me.
This is apparently here because it is illustrated in the Deuterocanonical book of Judith that it is not forbidden to eat with a pagan as long as they don't prepare or serve your food. However here, at a wedding we see it is forbidden by the sages. Other than the possibility of some ritual done with the wedding, such as is done at Catholic weddings, the couple are making a covenant in a church other than God's church/synagogue. This is a tough one. We all have friends who are not Messianic, who get married and have receptions. Should we attend? I leave that to you. I can say I'll be a lot more particular about it in the future.
Dan C
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