- there are 70 faces to 
Post by alon on Jun 26, 2020 14:15:57 GMT -8
We hear a lot of Christians and even Messianics today spiritualizing the Chinese Virus crises. It is seen as a lack of faith if we take precautions and do not meet as an assembly, because that id what we are commanded to do. The thought process seems to go "if God told us to do it, He will protect us when we are obedient." But what really are we told about taking precautions for our health? While this crises is unprecedented, and lab engineered illnesses did not exist in the time of Moses, still Torah was not silent on how to deal with health issues. So what did Torah (and indeed the entire Bible) say on this topic? I just got this in from the Israel Bible Center, which offers courses mostly for Christians and HR people wanting to know more. They are all Jewish believers, but from a variety of "schools" from what I can glean of their work. Anyhow, from time to time I get these short d'rashot. I wrote and asked, and they said copy any of these I want as long as I give them credit. I always try to do that anyhow, so here tis:
Take Care: Health Lessons from the Torah
In times of physical, social, and medical uncertainty, we can take steps to protect ourselves and promote recovery. At present, these steps include hand-washing, social distancing, and staying at home. The ancient Israelites also had ways to diagnosis and remedy illnesses, and they even practiced social distancing to ensure collective health. For the skin ailment known as tzara’at (צרעת), the priests would examine the patient to ascertain the right healing procedure (see Leviticus 13-14). While the prescriptions in Leviticus are for the sake of the body, Deuteronomy links tzara’at to the principle of setting one’s mind on the Lord. In this way, the Torah highlights the need to take care of our spiritual health alongside our physical wellbeing; meditation on Scripture and remembrance of God support the spirit, just as proper medical care supports the body.
According to Leviticus, the skin ailment of tzara’at (צרעת) necessitates priestly examination. If a spot on the skin “has turned white and the disease appears to be deeper than the skin of one’s body, it is a case of tzara’at” (13:3). Those who exhibit possible symptoms of tzara’at are isolated, sometimes for a period of 14 days: “If the spot is white… but appears no deeper than the skin… the priest shall shut up the stricken person for seven days…. And if the disease has not spread in the skin, then the priest shall shut up [the person] for another seven days” (13:4-5). In ancient Israel, the people knew the value of personal separation for the sake of health safety. Leviticus preserves a divine precedent for the kind of social-distancing that we can, and should, practice today.
Deuteronomy also highlights the importance of following the tzara’at instructions: “Take care (השׁמר; hishamer) in a case of tzara’at, that you observe diligently (לשׁמר מאד; lishmor meod), and do according to all that the Levitical priests shall direct you” (24:8). The Hebrew words for “take care” and “observe” come from שׁמר (shamar), which means to “keep” or “guard.” The charge to “take care” (השׁמר; hishamer) in this verse is the last of ten such instances in Deuteronomy—most of which remind readers to “take care” in their relationship with God. For example, Deuteronomy 6:12 reads, “Take care (השׁמר) lest you forget the Lord, who brought you out of the land of Egypt.” Moses also tells his people to “take care” to preserve their knowledge of Torah: “Take care (השׁמר) lest you forget the covenant of the Lord your God… by not keeping his commandments” (4:23; 8:11). The responsibility to “take care” also extends to one’s neighbors: “Take care (השׁמר) that you do not neglect the Levite… [or] your poor brother” (12:19; 15:9). At the end of these declarations to “take care” in our relationships with God and others—bonds that Jesus puts at the very heart the Torah (see Matt 22:36-40; Mk 12:28-32; cf. Deut 6:5; Lev 19:18)—Deuteronomy says to “take care” with skin ailments (24:8). Thus, the Torah uses the command to “take care” in order to connect spiritual practices with principles of bodily health, thereby underscoring physical and theological care.
Q: You gave 7 out of 9 references on hishamer. The other two, are they Deut. 12:13 & 30?
A: See Deut 4:9, 23; 6:12; 8:11; 11:16; 12:13, 19, 30; 15:19; 24:8. So 24:8 is the last of nine previous instances, and there are ten total
"The responsibility to “take care” also extends to one’s neighbors." I want to focus on this for a moment. Many who are so cavalier about not taking precautions, and who even try to shame those who do are young, typically in their late teens to early thirties (at least around here). But many in their late forties are the most vocal opponents who refuse precautions and try shaming (they only try it once with me, as I can still get in someone's face when necessary). And of those older ones, many are professing Christians and a few Messiaincs. But in all the rhetoric, and all the talk about their freedoms, what is lost is the fact this (the US) is a nation founded on biblical principles, one of which is freedom and individual liberties with responsibility! And part of that responsibility is toward your community, be that town or religious assembly.
We are now seeing a "second wave" of cases. The majority in my county are among young people who listened to the propaganda and thought they were immune. Turns out they were not. I am also seeing a LOT more people wearing masks and going back to distancing. Better late tan never I suppose. And some hospitals in my state have been overrun and are having to send patients to other hospitals. So while this may not be as bad as we first thought, it is far from the benign "flu" we were told by opponents either. Bottom line, we ALL need to be cognizant of others. If asked to back off a bit, politely do so. If you don't want to wear a mask, don't. But don't try to shame anyone who does. And if you are going into a business or especially a medical facility, then if they ask, comply and wear a mask! Likewise, if you are visiting elderly people wear one. It all comes down to common courtesy and good sense; and obedience to Torah, which most here have signed on to.
One last thing: we have no idea about the long term effects of this Chinese virus. You may be asymptomatic now, but later in your life it may manifest with a vengeance! It may be doing damage slowly, so you don't even notice until it is too late. It could do any number of things we just don't know and cannot predict. So the respect you show to others today could be a blessing for you later. Just something else to chew on.
Dan C
Take Care: Health Lessons from the Torah
In times of physical, social, and medical uncertainty, we can take steps to protect ourselves and promote recovery. At present, these steps include hand-washing, social distancing, and staying at home. The ancient Israelites also had ways to diagnosis and remedy illnesses, and they even practiced social distancing to ensure collective health. For the skin ailment known as tzara’at (צרעת), the priests would examine the patient to ascertain the right healing procedure (see Leviticus 13-14). While the prescriptions in Leviticus are for the sake of the body, Deuteronomy links tzara’at to the principle of setting one’s mind on the Lord. In this way, the Torah highlights the need to take care of our spiritual health alongside our physical wellbeing; meditation on Scripture and remembrance of God support the spirit, just as proper medical care supports the body.
According to Leviticus, the skin ailment of tzara’at (צרעת) necessitates priestly examination. If a spot on the skin “has turned white and the disease appears to be deeper than the skin of one’s body, it is a case of tzara’at” (13:3). Those who exhibit possible symptoms of tzara’at are isolated, sometimes for a period of 14 days: “If the spot is white… but appears no deeper than the skin… the priest shall shut up the stricken person for seven days…. And if the disease has not spread in the skin, then the priest shall shut up [the person] for another seven days” (13:4-5). In ancient Israel, the people knew the value of personal separation for the sake of health safety. Leviticus preserves a divine precedent for the kind of social-distancing that we can, and should, practice today.
Deuteronomy also highlights the importance of following the tzara’at instructions: “Take care (השׁמר; hishamer) in a case of tzara’at, that you observe diligently (לשׁמר מאד; lishmor meod), and do according to all that the Levitical priests shall direct you” (24:8). The Hebrew words for “take care” and “observe” come from שׁמר (shamar), which means to “keep” or “guard.” The charge to “take care” (השׁמר; hishamer) in this verse is the last of ten such instances in Deuteronomy—most of which remind readers to “take care” in their relationship with God. For example, Deuteronomy 6:12 reads, “Take care (השׁמר) lest you forget the Lord, who brought you out of the land of Egypt.” Moses also tells his people to “take care” to preserve their knowledge of Torah: “Take care (השׁמר) lest you forget the covenant of the Lord your God… by not keeping his commandments” (4:23; 8:11). The responsibility to “take care” also extends to one’s neighbors: “Take care (השׁמר) that you do not neglect the Levite… [or] your poor brother” (12:19; 15:9). At the end of these declarations to “take care” in our relationships with God and others—bonds that Jesus puts at the very heart the Torah (see Matt 22:36-40; Mk 12:28-32; cf. Deut 6:5; Lev 19:18)—Deuteronomy says to “take care” with skin ailments (24:8). Thus, the Torah uses the command to “take care” in order to connect spiritual practices with principles of bodily health, thereby underscoring physical and theological care.
Q: You gave 7 out of 9 references on hishamer. The other two, are they Deut. 12:13 & 30?
A: See Deut 4:9, 23; 6:12; 8:11; 11:16; 12:13, 19, 30; 15:19; 24:8. So 24:8 is the last of nine previous instances, and there are ten total
"The responsibility to “take care” also extends to one’s neighbors." I want to focus on this for a moment. Many who are so cavalier about not taking precautions, and who even try to shame those who do are young, typically in their late teens to early thirties (at least around here). But many in their late forties are the most vocal opponents who refuse precautions and try shaming (they only try it once with me, as I can still get in someone's face when necessary). And of those older ones, many are professing Christians and a few Messiaincs. But in all the rhetoric, and all the talk about their freedoms, what is lost is the fact this (the US) is a nation founded on biblical principles, one of which is freedom and individual liberties with responsibility! And part of that responsibility is toward your community, be that town or religious assembly.
We are now seeing a "second wave" of cases. The majority in my county are among young people who listened to the propaganda and thought they were immune. Turns out they were not. I am also seeing a LOT more people wearing masks and going back to distancing. Better late tan never I suppose. And some hospitals in my state have been overrun and are having to send patients to other hospitals. So while this may not be as bad as we first thought, it is far from the benign "flu" we were told by opponents either. Bottom line, we ALL need to be cognizant of others. If asked to back off a bit, politely do so. If you don't want to wear a mask, don't. But don't try to shame anyone who does. And if you are going into a business or especially a medical facility, then if they ask, comply and wear a mask! Likewise, if you are visiting elderly people wear one. It all comes down to common courtesy and good sense; and obedience to Torah, which most here have signed on to.
One last thing: we have no idea about the long term effects of this Chinese virus. You may be asymptomatic now, but later in your life it may manifest with a vengeance! It may be doing damage slowly, so you don't even notice until it is too late. It could do any number of things we just don't know and cannot predict. So the respect you show to others today could be a blessing for you later. Just something else to chew on.
Dan C
