This document provides a summary and analysis of a portion of the biblical text Ki Teitsei. It explores the text's deeper meanings through a series of questions and responses. The overarching theme is that the biblical commands are meant as "basic training" to help people overcome selfish urges and desires in order to live according to God's expectations of being a holy nation. Examples discussed include curbing the instinct to mistreat captives or favor the firstborn, respecting property rights, showing mercy to animals, and fulfilling vows made to God.
Relationships is very key to human existence. God will judge us based on: 1. Our relationship with Him; 2. Our relationship with one another; and 3. Our relationship with His creation. When you miss the ultimate, your relationship with God, you spoil the other two...because it is the foundation of any good, healthy relationships and being. A people who commit suicide, enter into depression, etc have a challenge in building relationships.
This is a highlight on Building Healthy Relationships.
Jesus was very serious about forgivenessGLENN PEASE
This document provides a summary of a passage from the Bible about forgiveness as well as commentary on the passage. The summary is:
Jesus taught that forgiveness is very important and that people must forgive others from their heart in order to receive forgiveness from God. The document then provides multiple perspectives on forgiveness, including that people are unable to pay their debt to God for their sins on their own, that God freely forgives all debts, and that receiving God's forgiveness requires having a forgiving heart towards others.
This document discusses several mitzvot or commandments from the Torah that instruct people on how to treat those in weaker positions. It examines commandments about using fair weights and measures in business, returning lost property, helping those in need, giving tzedakah or charity to the poor, and leaving the corners of fields and dropped crops for the poor to glean. The discussion emphasizes that these commandments show God expects people in power to deal fairly with and love those weaker than themselves. Failing to follow these principles would undermine justice and trust in society.
This document provides an introduction and summary of the Torah portions Achrei Mot and Kedoshim. It discusses the key elements and purpose of Yom Kippur as expiation for sins and making oneself pure for God through self-denial. It analyzes passages from the Mishnah and Gemara relating to offenses against God and one's neighbor. The document examines what it means to be holy based on the command to "be holy because I, God, am holy." It discusses several mitzvot from Kedoshim 19 regarding proper treatment of others, including the poor, laborers, blind and deaf. Loving one's neighbor is presented as a central teaching of the portion and Torah.
I. Moses discusses the book of Eikev with the people, explaining why he brings up topics again and the order he presents them in. He wants listeners who did not experience the events firsthand to understand.
II. There is a discussion about whether the covenant promise of blessing for following God's ways refers to physical or spiritual blessings, or both. It is a complex issue with reasonable arguments on both sides.
III. Moses emphasizes that the people must not grow proud and forget that God's saving hand is why they prosper in the land. Pride can lead them to stray from God.
This document discusses various spiritual attributes including faith, discipline, and battling between good and evil inclinations. It provides scriptural references and questions for reflection on topics like having faith in God, exercising discipline out of love rather than judgment, and strengthening one's foundation in God. The document seeks to help readers grow spiritually through understanding scripture and engaging in daily spiritual exercises.
In order to have healthy intimate relationships with others, it helps to have a healthy intimate relationship with God. With God, there is absence of judgment and unconditional acceptance, unlike with a human partner. Through reference to biblical concepts and teachings from the Catholic Catechism, this presentation explains how to form a healthy intimacy with God.
Relationships is very key to human existence. God will judge us based on: 1. Our relationship with Him; 2. Our relationship with one another; and 3. Our relationship with His creation. When you miss the ultimate, your relationship with God, you spoil the other two...because it is the foundation of any good, healthy relationships and being. A people who commit suicide, enter into depression, etc have a challenge in building relationships.
This is a highlight on Building Healthy Relationships.
Jesus was very serious about forgivenessGLENN PEASE
This document provides a summary of a passage from the Bible about forgiveness as well as commentary on the passage. The summary is:
Jesus taught that forgiveness is very important and that people must forgive others from their heart in order to receive forgiveness from God. The document then provides multiple perspectives on forgiveness, including that people are unable to pay their debt to God for their sins on their own, that God freely forgives all debts, and that receiving God's forgiveness requires having a forgiving heart towards others.
This document discusses several mitzvot or commandments from the Torah that instruct people on how to treat those in weaker positions. It examines commandments about using fair weights and measures in business, returning lost property, helping those in need, giving tzedakah or charity to the poor, and leaving the corners of fields and dropped crops for the poor to glean. The discussion emphasizes that these commandments show God expects people in power to deal fairly with and love those weaker than themselves. Failing to follow these principles would undermine justice and trust in society.
This document provides an introduction and summary of the Torah portions Achrei Mot and Kedoshim. It discusses the key elements and purpose of Yom Kippur as expiation for sins and making oneself pure for God through self-denial. It analyzes passages from the Mishnah and Gemara relating to offenses against God and one's neighbor. The document examines what it means to be holy based on the command to "be holy because I, God, am holy." It discusses several mitzvot from Kedoshim 19 regarding proper treatment of others, including the poor, laborers, blind and deaf. Loving one's neighbor is presented as a central teaching of the portion and Torah.
I. Moses discusses the book of Eikev with the people, explaining why he brings up topics again and the order he presents them in. He wants listeners who did not experience the events firsthand to understand.
II. There is a discussion about whether the covenant promise of blessing for following God's ways refers to physical or spiritual blessings, or both. It is a complex issue with reasonable arguments on both sides.
III. Moses emphasizes that the people must not grow proud and forget that God's saving hand is why they prosper in the land. Pride can lead them to stray from God.
This document discusses various spiritual attributes including faith, discipline, and battling between good and evil inclinations. It provides scriptural references and questions for reflection on topics like having faith in God, exercising discipline out of love rather than judgment, and strengthening one's foundation in God. The document seeks to help readers grow spiritually through understanding scripture and engaging in daily spiritual exercises.
In order to have healthy intimate relationships with others, it helps to have a healthy intimate relationship with God. With God, there is absence of judgment and unconditional acceptance, unlike with a human partner. Through reference to biblical concepts and teachings from the Catholic Catechism, this presentation explains how to form a healthy intimacy with God.
Christ came to restore our relationship with God and give us victory. It is yours for the taking. He leaves the choice up to us. I would like to challenge you to willingly accept His gift to you.
This is a study of Jesus encouraging charity. He said it is more blessed to give than to receive. He wanted believers to be generous to those who had needs.
Here are three key points about Jesus' death on the cross:
1. Jesus Christ, God's Son, willingly sacrificed His life by dying on the cross to pay the penalty for our sins.
2. By dying for our sins, Jesus bridged the gap between a sinful humanity and a holy God. He demonstrated God's perfect love by dying for us while we were still sinners.
3. All who believe that Jesus is the Son of God who died for their sins and trust wholly in Him for salvation will receive forgiveness of sins and eternal life. There is no other way to be reconciled to God except through faith in Jesus.
The document is a sermon that addresses how Christians can deal with suffering and hardship in the real world. It argues that being totally honest with God, even through lament, is the deepest expression of faith and the only way to heal from past hurts. It notes that while Christians are not promised freedom from pain, the Psalms model lamenting honestly to God as a form of praise. The sermon aims to give permission to admit pain and questions to God, which is necessary for spiritual growth.
The document describes The Discipleship Ministry, which exists to fulfill the Great Commission by equipping Christians to share their faith. It introduces Discipleship 2, a resource designed to help Christians grow spiritually through lessons on topics like spiritual living, fruitfulness, and relationships. The coordinator of The Discipleship Ministry is Kenson Kuba, a graduate of Multnomah School of the Bible who now works as a water microbiologist in Hawaii.
1) The document discusses why the portion begins with the word "see" and provides several possible explanations, including that seeing can represent a deeper form of understanding.
2) It examines the rule that the Temple site must be singular and centralized, suggesting this contrasts pagan worship sites and emphasizes the oneness of God.
3) It considers whether the permission to eat meat represents a divine compromise or concession for those unable to regularly visit the sanctuary.
This is a study of Jesus being incompatible with the devil. He is an example of how believers in Jesus are to be incompatible with those who are not believers. Good and evil just do not mix.
When we encounter individuals who exhibit unkindness or even hostility toward us, how does God want us to respond? Let’s see the benefits of responding with God’s love and goodness.
This document discusses several Jewish religious practices and rituals known as mitzvoth that are meant to strengthen one's relationship with God and orient oneself toward God. It examines practices like swearing only by God's name, reciting daily prayers, wearing tefillin boxes on the head and arm, wearing tzitzit fringes, affixing a mezuzah to doorposts, and a king writing out the Torah for himself. The document explores the intended purpose and benefits of these rituals, and whether similar effects could be achieved through other means like prayer and contemplation.
Our theories about God are our theology.
It is well to value them, to try our best to
keep them pure and high. But the deeper
question is. What is our religion? What are
our real thoughts of God ? In that deep and
secret place of our inmost consciousness, where
all our desires and feelings and hopes and
aspirations are born, what is God to us ? This
is the great question, the searching question.
And on the answer to it our peace, our happi-
ness, our usefulness depend.
The document provides commentary on several passages from the book of Numbers in the Bible. It discusses:
1) The census conducted by Moses, Aaron, and chieftains and why it was important to count the Levites accurately.
2) Instructions for handling wrongdoing between community members, including requiring restitution plus 20% for offenses and making offerings to God, as wronging another also wrongs God.
3) The unusual institution of nazirites, those who took special vows of abstinence from certain pleasures like drinking for a temporary period, and the differing views on them as either extreme or admirable in their religious devotion.
4) The well-known Priestly Blessing
This document provides guidance on how Christians should conduct themselves around unbelievers. It discusses:
1) Christians are called to reach out to unbelievers with the gospel, but must also remain separate from the world and unstained by sin.
2) Christians should limit close association with unbelievers to avoid being improperly influenced by their sins or compromising their faith.
3) Christians must also limit involvement with those claiming to be Christians but living in unrepentant sin, to avoid being tempted themselves or viewing sin as acceptable.
3) When unavoidably around unbelievers, Christians should set a godly example through their behavior and speech in hopes of influencing others for Christ. They must avoid improper attachment or
This document is a response from Christian scholars and leaders to the open letter "A Common Word Between Us and You" sent by Muslim scholars and clerics. The response:
1. Thanks the Muslim signatories for identifying the common ground of love of God and neighbor between Christianity and Islam. This gives hope for cooperation between the faiths.
2. Agrees that love of God and neighbor are central to both Christianity and Islam. Quotes sources that discuss how these two loves are linked for both faiths.
3. Commits to working with Muslim leaders through dialogue to shape relations between Christians and Muslims based on this common ground of love, in order to achieve religious and world peace.
The document discusses improving one's mental attitudes through renewing the mind. It describes how negative attitudes can negatively impact one's life and relationships over time, even leading to physical harm or death. It recommends daily mind emptying through singing hymns of praise to remove resentments and fears. Applying selected positive thoughts focused on God, faith, love and righteousness for 15 minutes daily to difficult situations or relationships can change one's attitudes and transform outcomes. Faith and prayer can overcome any odds when one surrenders fully to God's will.
The Vital Role of Sacrifice in Understanding HolinessSandy Kress
The document discusses the vital role of sacrifice in understanding holiness. It argues that sacrifice is central to both good and evil acts, and is essential to the practice of faith in God. Sacrifice strengthens families and allows future generations to benefit from those who came before. For Christians, Jesus is the ultimate example of sacrifice. Drawing near to God through ritual sacrifice in sacred spaces allows people to show reverence, cement relationships, seek atonement, and celebrate blessings, bringing holiness into their lives. While ancient animal sacrifices are no longer practiced, people can still sacrifice their time, energy, resources, and selves to serve God and fulfill their purpose.
1. The document summarizes the biblical story of Jephthah, who was rejected by his family but later called upon to defend his people from the Ammonites. He made a rash vow that if he was successful, he would sacrifice whatever came out of his house first. Unfortunately, his daughter was the first to greet him, and he was forced to follow through on his vow.
2. It discusses how to overcome rejection through accepting God's love, stopping self-blame, living as a new person in Christ, and realizing that rejection can shape but not define one's life.
3. Scholars debate whether Jephthah actually sacrificed his daughter or dedicated her to lifelong service at
This document provides a 3-paragraph summary of the key ideas from a book about developing an unbeatable spirit of faith. It explains that no matter the difficulties one faces, God can turn the situation around through faith. It emphasizes believing God's word even when circumstances seem impossible. It encourages focusing on God's promises rather than one's own problems, and consistently speaking words of faith in line with scripture. The goal is to cultivate faith like Abraham's that calls things that are not as though they were and sees God's power at work.
Christian character is defined as Christlikeness, with love being its supreme manifestation. It is developed as the Holy Spirit produces spiritual fruit within believers like love, joy, peace, and more. Christian character is cultivated by maintaining fellowship with God through prayer and spending time in his word, as well as fellowship with other believers through church community and encouragement.
This document appears to be a student assignment containing a student ID number, student name, course name, and date submitted. It was created by John Cooper III for his Fundamentals of Financial Accounting course and submitted on October 2, 2016.
Christ came to restore our relationship with God and give us victory. It is yours for the taking. He leaves the choice up to us. I would like to challenge you to willingly accept His gift to you.
This is a study of Jesus encouraging charity. He said it is more blessed to give than to receive. He wanted believers to be generous to those who had needs.
Here are three key points about Jesus' death on the cross:
1. Jesus Christ, God's Son, willingly sacrificed His life by dying on the cross to pay the penalty for our sins.
2. By dying for our sins, Jesus bridged the gap between a sinful humanity and a holy God. He demonstrated God's perfect love by dying for us while we were still sinners.
3. All who believe that Jesus is the Son of God who died for their sins and trust wholly in Him for salvation will receive forgiveness of sins and eternal life. There is no other way to be reconciled to God except through faith in Jesus.
The document is a sermon that addresses how Christians can deal with suffering and hardship in the real world. It argues that being totally honest with God, even through lament, is the deepest expression of faith and the only way to heal from past hurts. It notes that while Christians are not promised freedom from pain, the Psalms model lamenting honestly to God as a form of praise. The sermon aims to give permission to admit pain and questions to God, which is necessary for spiritual growth.
The document describes The Discipleship Ministry, which exists to fulfill the Great Commission by equipping Christians to share their faith. It introduces Discipleship 2, a resource designed to help Christians grow spiritually through lessons on topics like spiritual living, fruitfulness, and relationships. The coordinator of The Discipleship Ministry is Kenson Kuba, a graduate of Multnomah School of the Bible who now works as a water microbiologist in Hawaii.
1) The document discusses why the portion begins with the word "see" and provides several possible explanations, including that seeing can represent a deeper form of understanding.
2) It examines the rule that the Temple site must be singular and centralized, suggesting this contrasts pagan worship sites and emphasizes the oneness of God.
3) It considers whether the permission to eat meat represents a divine compromise or concession for those unable to regularly visit the sanctuary.
This is a study of Jesus being incompatible with the devil. He is an example of how believers in Jesus are to be incompatible with those who are not believers. Good and evil just do not mix.
When we encounter individuals who exhibit unkindness or even hostility toward us, how does God want us to respond? Let’s see the benefits of responding with God’s love and goodness.
This document discusses several Jewish religious practices and rituals known as mitzvoth that are meant to strengthen one's relationship with God and orient oneself toward God. It examines practices like swearing only by God's name, reciting daily prayers, wearing tefillin boxes on the head and arm, wearing tzitzit fringes, affixing a mezuzah to doorposts, and a king writing out the Torah for himself. The document explores the intended purpose and benefits of these rituals, and whether similar effects could be achieved through other means like prayer and contemplation.
Our theories about God are our theology.
It is well to value them, to try our best to
keep them pure and high. But the deeper
question is. What is our religion? What are
our real thoughts of God ? In that deep and
secret place of our inmost consciousness, where
all our desires and feelings and hopes and
aspirations are born, what is God to us ? This
is the great question, the searching question.
And on the answer to it our peace, our happi-
ness, our usefulness depend.
The document provides commentary on several passages from the book of Numbers in the Bible. It discusses:
1) The census conducted by Moses, Aaron, and chieftains and why it was important to count the Levites accurately.
2) Instructions for handling wrongdoing between community members, including requiring restitution plus 20% for offenses and making offerings to God, as wronging another also wrongs God.
3) The unusual institution of nazirites, those who took special vows of abstinence from certain pleasures like drinking for a temporary period, and the differing views on them as either extreme or admirable in their religious devotion.
4) The well-known Priestly Blessing
This document provides guidance on how Christians should conduct themselves around unbelievers. It discusses:
1) Christians are called to reach out to unbelievers with the gospel, but must also remain separate from the world and unstained by sin.
2) Christians should limit close association with unbelievers to avoid being improperly influenced by their sins or compromising their faith.
3) Christians must also limit involvement with those claiming to be Christians but living in unrepentant sin, to avoid being tempted themselves or viewing sin as acceptable.
3) When unavoidably around unbelievers, Christians should set a godly example through their behavior and speech in hopes of influencing others for Christ. They must avoid improper attachment or
This document is a response from Christian scholars and leaders to the open letter "A Common Word Between Us and You" sent by Muslim scholars and clerics. The response:
1. Thanks the Muslim signatories for identifying the common ground of love of God and neighbor between Christianity and Islam. This gives hope for cooperation between the faiths.
2. Agrees that love of God and neighbor are central to both Christianity and Islam. Quotes sources that discuss how these two loves are linked for both faiths.
3. Commits to working with Muslim leaders through dialogue to shape relations between Christians and Muslims based on this common ground of love, in order to achieve religious and world peace.
The document discusses improving one's mental attitudes through renewing the mind. It describes how negative attitudes can negatively impact one's life and relationships over time, even leading to physical harm or death. It recommends daily mind emptying through singing hymns of praise to remove resentments and fears. Applying selected positive thoughts focused on God, faith, love and righteousness for 15 minutes daily to difficult situations or relationships can change one's attitudes and transform outcomes. Faith and prayer can overcome any odds when one surrenders fully to God's will.
The Vital Role of Sacrifice in Understanding HolinessSandy Kress
The document discusses the vital role of sacrifice in understanding holiness. It argues that sacrifice is central to both good and evil acts, and is essential to the practice of faith in God. Sacrifice strengthens families and allows future generations to benefit from those who came before. For Christians, Jesus is the ultimate example of sacrifice. Drawing near to God through ritual sacrifice in sacred spaces allows people to show reverence, cement relationships, seek atonement, and celebrate blessings, bringing holiness into their lives. While ancient animal sacrifices are no longer practiced, people can still sacrifice their time, energy, resources, and selves to serve God and fulfill their purpose.
1. The document summarizes the biblical story of Jephthah, who was rejected by his family but later called upon to defend his people from the Ammonites. He made a rash vow that if he was successful, he would sacrifice whatever came out of his house first. Unfortunately, his daughter was the first to greet him, and he was forced to follow through on his vow.
2. It discusses how to overcome rejection through accepting God's love, stopping self-blame, living as a new person in Christ, and realizing that rejection can shape but not define one's life.
3. Scholars debate whether Jephthah actually sacrificed his daughter or dedicated her to lifelong service at
This document provides a 3-paragraph summary of the key ideas from a book about developing an unbeatable spirit of faith. It explains that no matter the difficulties one faces, God can turn the situation around through faith. It emphasizes believing God's word even when circumstances seem impossible. It encourages focusing on God's promises rather than one's own problems, and consistently speaking words of faith in line with scripture. The goal is to cultivate faith like Abraham's that calls things that are not as though they were and sees God's power at work.
Christian character is defined as Christlikeness, with love being its supreme manifestation. It is developed as the Holy Spirit produces spiritual fruit within believers like love, joy, peace, and more. Christian character is cultivated by maintaining fellowship with God through prayer and spending time in his word, as well as fellowship with other believers through church community and encouragement.
This document appears to be a student assignment containing a student ID number, student name, course name, and date submitted. It was created by John Cooper III for his Fundamentals of Financial Accounting course and submitted on October 2, 2016.
Certified International Supply Chain ProfessionalsPeter Desilva
This document discusses certified international supply chains. It focuses on ensuring supply chains meet certification standards across borders to facilitate international trade. Maintaining certified standards helps smooth operations and compliance when transporting goods globally.
Educational foundations week 2 class slides Fa15Dan Krutka
This document outlines the in-class activities for a week 2 education foundations course. It includes directions for a short Twitter discussion on best and worst teachers, a presentation by a mentor teacher, small group discussions on course questions and updates, and activities on the history of public schools and envisioning oneself as a teacher. Students are asked to discuss topics like the purpose of public schools and how gender affects teaching without naming specific teachers.
The document discusses various locations that were featured in the Harry Potter films, including Christ Church College at Oxford University where parts of the Great Hall were shot. It also provides some facts about the Eiffel Tower in Paris, such as it having three levels for visitors including restaurants on the first two floors and an observatory on the third floor that is over 900 feet above the ground. The final pictures show Disneyland park.
This document discusses three behaviors that can make innovation possible for older companies. First, innovation must be driven by and answer customer needs. Regular checks with customers ensure alignment with their expectations. Second, every enabler like principles, culture, structure, processes, skills, information and IT must be activated to allow companies to change mindsets. Third, governance is needed to ensure all innovation initiatives are coherent and support the company's strategy.
All of us prepare many educational and promotional materials. We share our work and experience with others but rarely we do it in a way that can guarantee that those materials will be accessible, easy and safe to re-use for other educators or to general public. This is why it’s good to know how open licensing models work and how to use and publish with Creative Commons licenses – for our common good. The webinar about CC licensing aims at bringing together basic knowledge about open copyright models with an experience of how easy and useful it is to use CC in higher education.
This document provides an overview and summary of key marketing communication tools: sales promotion, events & experiences, public relations, direct marketing, managing sales force, and principles of personal selling. For each topic, it outlines major decisions, objectives, functions, and steps that must be considered to effectively implement these communication strategies. The document is from a 2010 marketing management class and aims to educate students on the essential components of promoting and selling products and services.
Toyota of Irving has for sale the 2011 Toyota Prius for customers living in Dallas, TX. Call 972-793-6528 or visit: http://toyota-irving.com/markup.aspx?markupid=38271
Amla diseases A Lecture To Tot ( FFS) By Allah Dad Khan Provincial Coordinat...Mr.Allah Dad Khan
This document discusses several diseases that affect amla plants, including leaf rust caused by the fungus Ravenillia emblice, fruit rot caused by penicillium fungus, and blue mould caused by the fungus Pencillium islandicum. It provides details on the symptoms of each disease and recommends treatments such as spraying hexaconazole or using borax or sodium chloride to control the diseases. It also briefly describes several other diseases that affect amla plants like anthracnose, botrytis dieback, currant cane blight, septoria leaf spot, american gooseberry mildew, and white pine blister rust.
The document discusses the benefits of meditation for reducing stress and anxiety. Regular meditation practice can help calm the mind and body by lowering heart rate and blood pressure. Making meditation a part of a daily routine, even if just 10-15 minutes per day, can have mental and physical health benefits over time by helping people feel more relaxed and better able to handle life's stresses.
Cloud-based accounting solutions provide numerous benefits over traditional on-premise systems such as reduced total cost of ownership, improved scalability and flexibility, and enhanced data security. Quatrro has developed an innovative platform-based accounting model built on cloud concepts like multitenancy and skill-based routing to deliver affordable accounting solutions to small and medium businesses. Their solution automates key accounting functions through a client portal and centralized platform to improve efficiency while reducing costs and onboarding timelines.
Características internac...crosoft sql server 2005Tximis Kurdi
La Unión Europea ha acordado un embargo petrolero contra Rusia en respuesta a la invasión de Ucrania. El embargo prohibirá las importaciones marítimas de petróleo ruso a la UE y pondrá fin a las entregas a través de oleoductos dentro de seis meses. Esta medida forma parte de un sexto paquete de sanciones de la UE destinadas a aumentar la presión económica sobre Moscú y privar al Kremlin de fondos para financiar su guerra.
Nectarine diseases By Allah Dad Khan Provincial Coordinator IPM KPK MINFALMr.Allah Dad Khan
This document summarizes several common diseases that affect nectarine trees: brown rot causes fruit to rot on the tree and can be prevented by removing diseased fruit and using fungicide; peach scab causes cracking and rotting of fruit and can be prevented with fungicide application; powdery mildew causes leaves to fall off and grow white fuzz and can be prevented with fungicide and proper pruning; and leaf curl causes defoliation and requires fungicide application in fall or spring. It also briefly outlines bacterial spot, crown gall, shot hole disease, silver leaf disease, rust, plum pox virus, and fruittree leafroller and their symptoms and management practices.
The document discusses various perspectives on work from a Benedictine viewpoint. It covers how work is mentioned in scripture and seen as important in the Rule of Saint Benedict. Work done in community and for the common good is emphasized. Modern issues like overwork, distraction, and finding identity in work are also addressed. The conclusion discusses discerning one's vocation and working with heart for God.
This document contains specifications for various cleaning equipment from Automation Cleantech, including dry vacuum cleaners, scrubbing machines, steam cleaners, sweepers, and more. The equipment ranges in capacity from small household models to large industrial machines. Contact information is provided for Sandeep Sharma and Pankaj Maitrey to inquire further about prices and products.
This document discusses the importance of discipline according to various wisdom sayings. It explores different aspects of discipline, including controlling personal inclinations, avoiding unproductive behaviors, welcoming criticism from friends, and not taking valuable resources for granted. Overall, the document emphasizes that discipline is necessary to apply wisdom and avoid harmful behaviors. It suggests discipline helps one remain on the right path and resist wrongdoing even when unobserved.
The document discusses the concept of "justice" or "righteousness" in the Torah portion of Shoftim. It explores the meaning behind repeated words like "justice" and "righteousness" through analysis of related Bible passages. The discussion focuses on how pursuing justice involves both formal legal principles and also compassionate principles of mercy and reconciliation. It aims to provide tools for understanding and applying the concepts of justice and righteousness in daily life.
This document provides an analysis of the Torah portion B'haalot'kha. It explores themes of dissension and rebellion among the Israelites in the wilderness and lessons that can be drawn. Key points discussed include: how complaining arose even with God's presence; the importance of lighting the menorah and spreading God's light; consequences that come from abandoning God's path; and the conclusion emphasizing continually lifting oneself up through challenges. The document uses the text to examine human tendencies towards dissatisfaction and how leaders can help curb rebellion from spreading.
The document provides guidance on avoiding debt and living within one's means based on biblical principles. It encourages being content with what one has, saving money, and adjusting expenses to match income. Borrowing should be avoided when possible as it can lead one to be controlled by lenders or desire instant gratification. Instead, the document advocates budgeting, prioritizing giving to God first and saving regularly out of one's income to build up savings over time through wise financial management.
1) The passage provides context about Yitro (Jethro), the father-in-law of Moses and a priest of Midian, whose name is given to the portion of the Torah containing the Ten Commandments. 2) Yitro recognizes God's greatness and sovereignty after witnessing God's deliverance of the Israelites. He also gives wise counsel to Moses about establishing a judicial system. 3) The passage then covers God's covenant with the Israelites at Mount Sinai, where God promises to make them a treasured people and "kingdom of priests" if they obey God's commandments and instructions. The Ten Commandments establish moral and spiritual principles for the relationship between God and humans.
This document discusses biblical passages related to how one should treat strangers, servants, slaves, and others. It examines God's expectations for showing compassion even to those outside one's inner circle. Several key points are made:
- Strangers and foreigners are to be treated with dignity, respect, fairness and compassion, as the Israelites knew what it was like to be oppressed strangers in Egypt.
- Additional laws prohibited wronging or oppressing strangers through business dealings or speech, to control biases and prevent distress or oppression of the vulnerable.
- Laws governing indentured servants and slaves emphasized their freedom and humane treatment, rather than degradation, reflecting God's kindness and establishing that all people are equal before God.
Based on "Respectable Sins" by Jerry Bridges, this lesson examines the sin of pride; specifically, pride of moral self-righteousness, doctrinal pride, pride of achievement, and an independent spirit. The fact that God is the source of all our success, that we need to be humble in our doctrine and opinions, and that we need to maintain a teachable spirit are all emphasized.
1) The document discusses the dangers of debt and advises living within one's means by depending on God for provision rather than taking on debt.
2) It encourages saving modestly for future needs but warns against hoarding wealth, as one's treasures should be in heaven, not on earth.
3) The document provides biblical principles for avoiding debt, getting out of debt, saving, spending, and ensuring one's resources are used to help those in need.
We can trust God to be our sufficiency. He is able and willing to supply for us both now and in the future. He is well equipped to do this because His ability to supply is unlimited. God has always taken care of those who trust in Him, and He will remain faithful to this commitment, regardless of any conditions in the senses realm.
This document provides a lesson on various proverbs from Proverbs 20, 21 and 22. It discusses several key topics from the proverbs, including the equality of all humans, being perseverant, waiting for God, showing compassion, and the importance of proper education. The lesson examines each proverb in more depth, relating them to biblical passages and quotes from Ellen White. It encourages reflecting on how to apply the wisdom from the proverbs to daily life.
1. The document introduces a course on studying the 613 mitzvot (commandments) in the Torah. It discusses how the mitzvot relate to working and guarding the spiritual garden within ourselves and helping others through righteous deeds.
2. The mitzvot help fulfill human needs, especially of the soul, and work through the body to elevate the soul. Living according to the mitzvot strengthens one's soul, protects from sin, and guides believers to live in a Godly way through both actions and abstaining from actions.
3. While the mitzvot were given to Jews, the document argues they represent a guide for a good life with value for all. The course
The document discusses the spiritual discipline of frugality as an antidote to materialism and the culture of overconsumption. It provides biblical justification for frugality from passages like Hebrews 13:5 and the Sermon on the Mount, and recommends practicing frugality through buying only what is useful, rejecting addictions, and focusing on giving rather than acquiring goods. Richard Foster's thoughts on the related discipline of simplicity emphasize receiving what you have as a gift from God, not worrying about possessions, and having your goods available to others.
The struggle against the self (jihad al-nafs) refers to struggling against evil desires, lusts, anger and imagination by placing them under the dictates of reason and faith in obedience to God. It involves a six step process: 1) reflection on God's blessings and one's purpose; 2) making a firm resolve and intention to follow God's commands; 3) daily self-examination and criticism; 4) committing to specific habits of obedience; 5) guarding against evil ideas; and 6) constant remembrance of God with gratitude. This major struggle is more difficult than physical battles but helps one rise above the level of angels by purging satanic influences from the soul.
This document discusses several mitzvoth (commandments) related to building a relationship with God. It examines the first commandment to have no other gods before God, explaining that it means committing to God alone in service and belief. It also analyzes commandments about believing that God is one, loving God, fearing/having awe of God, and serving God through prayer and study. Maintaining these mitzvoth guides one's relationship with God and strengthens spiritual devotion to the divine.
Reality Check: Impact of study habits on our future; example is college admissions to the University of California. "Maturity comes when you stop making excuses and start making changes." 13 reasons you're not as successful as you should be. "The difference between who you are and who you want to be is what you do."
Part 2 of 3 part series on habits. Visit friendshipapgape.com for more info.
This document is a children's book that discusses the full armor of God described in Ephesians 6:10-17. It explains each piece of armor in simple terms that a child can understand. The armor includes the belt of truth, body armor of righteousness, boots of the gospel of peace, shield of faith, helmet of salvation, and sword of the spirit. By putting on this armor, children are equipped as spiritual warriors to fight against evil forces and reach their glorious destiny with God.
This document outlines a 5-session class on Christian stewardship that covers various areas of responsibility. Session 5 focuses on finances and giving. It discusses how Christians should manage wealth wisely by following budgeting principles and sharing resources, not obsessing over money which can lead to harm. The session includes a video and discussion on seeing money as a tool rather than idol, and keys to living financially successfully through accountability and balancing saving with giving.
Slides for Week 1 of Healing the Heart and Freedom from Addictions Class. World Changers Equipping School. Offered by Blazing Fire Church. blazingfire.org
The Zero Collective Presents a companion to the Life.Church series we are working through called "Winning the War in your Mind". Head over to zerocollective.org to find a church near you!
The document contains several teachings from different rabbis:
1) A rabbi tells a man he has no key to open him, and the man cries for the rabbi to pry him open with a nail, after which the rabbi praises the man.
2) Another rabbi teaches that to help someone stuck in "mud and filth," one must go down into the mud yourself and pull both yourself and the other person into the light.
3) A third rabbi says making robots is unimportant, but making a "hasid" (pious, kind, devoted person) is what truly matters.
This document provides a summary of a Hasidic study session that includes:
1) A review of the previous session and key takeaways.
2) Five Hasidic sayings from various rabbis, each presenting a lesson or insight.
3) Questions to consider for each saying regarding surface meaning, deeper possibilities, main lessons, and personal application.
4) A conclusion closing the session.
The document discusses the Hasidic movement, which began in the 18th century in Eastern Europe. It focuses on the founder, Baal Shem Tov, and explores some of his teachings conveyed through stories. The tales highlight themes of finding God's presence everywhere, the importance of sincere prayer and deeds, and avoiding pride. The document aims to understand these lessons and discuss their relevance to faith, society, and life.
The document discusses Israel's failure to uphold its covenant with God and turning instead to idolatry and foreign ways. Some key points:
1) Israel was given all it needed to thrive but produced "bad fruit" due to breaking its promise to God. Imagery of ruined vineyards and wild animals represents Israel straying from its purpose.
2) Leaders like priests and prophets abandoned their duties and corrupted the people. Teachers no longer knew God, endangering the transmission of values between generations.
3) Ritual acts were appropriated for idolatry, dishonoring the traditions of ancestors. Outward customs replaced inner principles.
4) The people sought fulfillment in "foreign children
This document summarizes lessons from the biblical prophets Isaiah. It discusses several of Isaiah's prophecies about righteousness, oppression, society, and God's desire to help the oppressed. The document examines what these prophecies teach about pleasing God and living according to cherished values. It explores imagery of people flocking to God, righteousness inheriting the land, and harmony between animals. The document concludes by considering steps to respond to the prophets' critiques and improve modern society.
This lesson plan discusses the failure of King Hezekiah's reforms in Israel and examines reasons why reforms may not be successful, including the loss of a shared narrative, being too narrow, proud, self-confident, spoiled, caught up in luxury and games, and going past the point of no return due to hardened hearts or being too far gone in corruption. It asks students to consider examples of advanced social decline and concludes by charging students for the next session.
Lesson Four- The Prophets- Painting the Broader Canvas of a Troubled SocietySandy Kress
This document summarizes a lesson about prophets painting a broader picture of a troubled society. It discusses several biblical passages describing societal problems like corruption, lack of wisdom, pride, and moral failings. The discussion analyzes how these issues spread throughout a society, with no one escaping responsibility or punishment. Specific examples of societal breakdown included people consuming their own flesh out of desperation, and a metaphor comparing a society to a fragile potter's bottle that cannot be repaired once broken. The lesson aimed to demonstrate how prophets conveyed warnings about comprehensive societal problems beyond just leadership.
The document summarizes several passages from the book of Jeremiah in the Hebrew Bible. It discusses:
1) Jeremiah's message to the people of Judah that they had not listened to God's prophets for a long time, despite repeated warnings to repent.
2) The priests and prophets threatening Jeremiah with death for prophesying that the Temple would be destroyed, like Shiloh, if the people did not change their ways.
3) Babylon conquering Judah but facing its own downfall, showing that empires rise and fall and should not take their power for granted.
The document provides commentary on various passages from the book of Jeremiah. It discusses how Jeremiah found himself threatened with death for speaking out against the corrupt practices of his society. The commentary reflects on why prophets who condemn wrongdoing are often met with hostility. It also examines the escalating sinfulness between generations that led to Judah's demise, and the injustice, oppression, and shedding of innocent blood that characterized Jeremiah's time. Restoring righteousness, justice and fair treatment of the vulnerable could have saved Judah according to God's message through Jeremiah.
This document provides an analysis of Jeremiah 8-10 from the Bible. It discusses how the people had strayed from God and were wicked, but God offered repentance. However, the people refused to repent despite warnings. Their ways were characterized by stubbornness, ignorance of God's judgments, and claiming to know God's teachings but not following them. Their society lacked faith, kindness, justice and righteousness. It focused too much on wealth, strength and wisdom instead of God. It treated idols as things of veneration like God, but idols have no enduring value or life in them.
1. The document discusses several verses from the book of Jeremiah that criticize society in Judah for declining from justice and righteousness. It is suggested that children roaming the streets instead of being in school and a loss of responsibility among both men and women contributed to the decline.
2. Verse 6:15 is discussed, noting that without shame, a society has a greater inclination to remain in wrongdoing rather than acknowledge and correct issues.
3. Verses 7:5-7 indict the society for a lack of commitment to justice for all people and following rituals without upholding justice, which was particularly offensive to God.
4. The document discusses how certain physical activities of ancestors were being used in
The document discusses several passages from the book of Jeremiah in the Bible. It analyzes metaphors used to describe how the people of Israel had turned away from God and betrayed their core spiritual principles. This led to societal problems as leaders, priests, and prophets misguided the people and pursued their own gains rather than justice and righteousness. While some good people remained, they were ineffective at enacting change. The document examines themes of how societies decline when people forget moral truths, are not accountable, take advantage of the vulnerable, and follow misguided leaders claiming false assurances of peace.
The document summarizes Jeremiah 1:16-2:37, discussing God's judgment against Judah for forsaking Him. It analyzes themes like the people's ingratitude towards God despite Him bringing them out of Egypt, their pursuit of futile idols, and corrupt leadership from priests and prophets. Animal images are used to depict the wayward people recklessly breaking bonds like a young camel or wild donkey. Discussions of forgotten jewelry and bloodstained clothing suggest the progression of the people straying far from God through their sins despite denying having sinned.
This document provides commentary on Amos, a prophet from Judah who preached in Israel in the 8th century BCE. The commentary analyzes various passages from the Book of Amos, highlighting issues of corruption and social injustice that Amos condemned, including graft, oppression of the poor, and empty religious rituals. While Amos preached during a time of prosperity, he warned that Israel had brought judgment on itself through its unethical acts and complacency. The commentary draws parallels between the injustices of ancient Israel and problems still seen in modern societies.
This document summarizes and discusses several chapters from the biblical Book of Isaiah. It focuses on themes of insincere worship, the consequences of losing touch with wisdom, and the corruption of societies that act in darkness and reject accountability. Specific issues highlighted include outward piety without inward devotion, the loss of guidance from wise leaders, people running eagerly to evil and spreading calamity, and a state of spiritual blindness and despair when righteousness departs. The document uses metaphors like poisonous snake eggs and spider webs to illustrate how misconduct breeds further harm. It analyzes the text through discussion questions aimed at understanding historical contexts and drawing modern parallels.
This summary provides a high-level overview of key points from the document in 3 sentences:
The document discusses several chapters from the Book of Isaiah that criticize the people of Israel for rebelling against God through sin and failing to uphold justice and righteousness, despite performing religious rituals. It notes how leadership had become corrupt and the wealthy indulged in excess, while oppressing the poor. The prophet Isaiah warns that if changes are not made, the situation will continue to deteriorate with unqualified leaders ruling over the people.
This document provides an overview of several important rabbis and scholars from the Galilean period after the suppression of the Bar Kochba revolt in 135 CE. It discusses their teachings and contributions to the development of halakha and the Mishnah. Some of the key figures mentioned include Rabbi Yehuda bar Ilai, Rabbi Yose ben Halafta, Rabbi Shimon bar Yohai, Rabbi Meir, and Judah HaNasi, the editor of the Mishnah.
From Yavneh to the Bar Kokhba Revolt and Its AftermathSandy Kress
1. This document summarizes teachings from several early Jewish sages from the period after the destruction of the Second Temple in Jerusalem, known as the Tannaim. It discusses the students of Yohanan ben Zakkai and the development of the rabbinic authority at Yavneh under Rabban Gamliel II.
2. It then examines sayings and teachings from sages such as Rabbi Eliezer ben Hyrcanus, Rabbi Yehoshua, Rabbi Tarfon, and Rabbi Akiva on topics like character, ethics, and diligent study of wisdom and law. Specific teachings around anger, desire, and helping others are analyzed.
3. The document
The Second Temple Period - From Prophecy to HalakhahSandy Kress
This document discusses several figures and teachings from the Second Temple period in Israel. It begins with a discussion of Avot 1:1 and the principles of being deliberate in judgment, raising many students, and making a protective fence for the Torah. It then profiles several sages and teachers from this era including Simeon the Just, Antigonus of Sokho, Honi the Circle Maker, and Hanina ben Dosa. It analyzes their teachings and how they navigated the transition from prophecy to the development of halakha during this time of both Greek influence and the rise of different Jewish sects like the Sadducees, Essenes and Pharisees.
Psalms - lesson Plan for the Third SessionSandy Kress
This lesson plan summarizes four Psalms - 90, 104, 133, and 102. For each Psalm, it provides background context and poses discussion questions about the meaning and themes. The overall themes are God's eternal presence and sovereignty, the importance of living righteously and in harmony, and maintaining faith through remembering God's works across generations.
The Enchantment and Shadows_ Unveiling the Mysteries of Magic and Black Magic...Phoenix O
This manual will guide you through basic skills and tasks to help you get started with various aspects of Magic. Each section is designed to be easy to follow, with step-by-step instructions.
A375 Example Taste the taste of the Lord, the taste of the Lord The taste of...franktsao4
It seems that current missionary work requires spending a lot of money, preparing a lot of materials, and traveling to far away places, so that it feels like missionary work. But what was the result they brought back? It's just a lot of photos of activities, fun eating, drinking and some playing games. And then we have to do the same thing next year, never ending. The church once mentioned that a certain missionary would go to the field where she used to work before the end of his life. It seemed that if she had not gone, no one would be willing to go. The reason why these missionary work is so difficult is that no one obeys God’s words, and the Bible is not the main content during missionary work, because in the eyes of those who do not obey God’s words, the Bible is just words and cannot be connected with life, so Reading out God's words is boring because it doesn't have any life experience, so it cannot be connected with human life. I will give a few examples in the hope that this situation can be changed. A375
Why is this So? ~ Do Seek to KNOW (English & Chinese).pptxOH TEIK BIN
A PowerPoint Presentation based on the Dhamma teaching of Kamma-Vipaka (Intentional Actions-Ripening Effects).
A Presentation for developing morality, concentration and wisdom and to spur us to practice the Dhamma diligently.
The texts are in English and Chinese.
The Hope of Salvation - Jude 1:24-25 - MessageCole Hartman
Jude gives us hope at the end of a dark letter. In a dark world like today, we need the light of Christ to shine brighter and brighter. Jude shows us where to fix our focus so we can be filled with God's goodness and glory. Join us to explore this incredible passage.
The forces involved in this witchcraft spell will re-establish the loving bond between you and help to build a strong, loving relationship from which to start anew. Despite any previous hardships or problems, the spell work will re-establish the strong bonds of friendship and love upon which the marriage and relationship originated. Have faith, these stop divorce and stop separation spells are extremely powerful and will reconnect you and your partner in a strong and harmonious relationship.
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A Free eBook ~ Valuable LIFE Lessons to Learn ( 5 Sets of Presentations)...OH TEIK BIN
A free eBook comprising 5 sets of PowerPoint presentations of meaningful stories /Inspirational pieces that teach important Dhamma/Life lessons. For reflection and practice to develop the mind to grow in love, compassion and wisdom. The texts are in English and Chinese.
My other free eBooks can be obtained from the following Links:
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A Free eBook ~ Valuable LIFE Lessons to Learn ( 5 Sets of Presentations)...
Ki teitsei
1. Ki Teitsei
Introduction - this portion is essentially one that requires us students to go
through “basic training.” It’s hot outside. The exercises will be demanding. I
hope you’re in reasonably good shape. I didn’t tell you more last week; nor
will I tell you much now - for fear that you would wimp out and sneak out
the back door. But, actually, you’re more than up for what we’re about to
do. Take deep breaths; call upon the inner strength you have. As my
property professor in law school told us one day, “no one has ever perished
here.” Nor will anyone today! But do tie your bootstrings tight before we
begin. It’s going to be rapid fire and fast. Here we go.
I. Read 21:10. What does this mean?
(On the surface, it clearly means when you go out into physical battle to
take the land, God will make you victorious. I want to explore its deeper
levels. What are the possibilities?
2. This is a metaphor for living as God expects. The enemies we will fight and
defeat with God’s help are at one level the forces, the urges, the bad
habits, the weaknesses, the proneness to the narrow straits we’ve
encountered since and before Egyptthat lead us to stray, lead us away
from our covenant with God, that are incompatible with living in the land of
promise.
The battle is the fight against these biases, desires, forces that keep us
from living as God expects, as a kingdom of priests and a holy nation.
Today’s portion includes the greatest number of mitzvoth in any, 72, and
they are, I believe, here to serve as an exercise of preparedness, “military
in a spiritual sense,“ if you will, to get us ready to prevail in this battle. The
“captives” we take will be those of these enemies we have grappled with on
the journey, and continue to grapple with in our lives. This training will help
us to be spiritually and ethically, as well as physically, fit to overcome and
achieve the conquest God has in mind for us.)
3. II. Now we will begin the basic training against the temptations and urges
that are the enemy we must take captive. Ready?
A. Read 11-14.What’s the urge we take captive here, and what does our
“victory” mean?
(The urge in this situation is to ravish a beautiful captive weaker woman
we’ve taken captive in war. We must curb that instinct and limit the power
we have. We’re not an animal, and she’s not an object.God expects us to
live through a process that shows honor, respect, consideration, and
decision. Although the interest in assuring that the man and woman live in
God’s way and that the woman’s presumably previous pagan ways are
shed is curiously not explicitly addressed, the required processmay give
time for this to play out.
We’ve learned about righteousness, fairness, mercy, and lovingkindness.
Here we live out those principles in a very real setting, where our power
and desire could easily permit our following our instinct. God says the
enemy is given unto our power to control and take captive. What a
wonderful place to begin our training!)
4. B. Read 15-17.What’s the urge here that must be defeated?
(The principle of duty to the first born is strongly affirmed here, though we
know how complexthe broader text is on this matter. Yet, the idea here is
clear: the principle must outweigh our native desire to preferthe one who is
the child of the preferred orfavored wife. (The text does not yet show the
commitment that later attaches to monogamy, but it does insist that our
preferences go to the values we have about passing on legacy and living
as God expects, not our biases related to our other interests.))
C. Read 18-21.This is hard! Put a blinder on your modern eyes, and don’t
read this as physical killing, but rather some killing of a deeplydestructive
and evil force in the child. Now what’s the urge or force that must be
defeated?
5. (Know, first, that there’s language in the Talmud that suggests at least
explicitly there never actually was such a punishment.
But, we pay attention to the text and wonder if there’s something deeperat
work here, irrespective of whether this exact literal punishment was applied
or not. Is there some behavior that is so outrageously bad and dangerous
that we should be gravely concerned? If so,could we or should we just “let
it go?” Or just be soft and merely hope things will get better? That would be
easier, but the evil festers, no? It’s destructive of the child and endangers
the community. Must parents not join together and seek outside help and
do something to rid the dangerous force?)
D. Read 22:1-4.What’s the curbed urge here and the duty we owe?
(The instinct is to keep found property and be enriched by it. One can
easily think, “no one will know.” God knows! It’s not ours. We must make
every effort to find the true owner, hold the property in trust and preserve it
in good condition, and restore it. We are in training to re-develop our
instinct, literally to come to feel ill about keeping the property without a full
and devoted effort to restore it.)
6. E. 1. Read 6-7. What is the urge we need to confront and defeat here?
(Our appetitive desire is to take the mother bird and the young to eat to
maximize our catch and take - the more, the better! But we must respect
the mother’s feelings, as we would a person’s,as a fellow living creature of
God’s,by showing mercy, here by letting her go before taking what
remains, perhaps even foregoing both. This also shows an appreciation of
unity in God’s world. Maimonides says this teaches us to anticipate the
anxiety and despairof the mother bird, another living being, and to avoid
acting in a cruel way that is incompatible with living in God’s way in the
world.
Other possibilities: there could be an aversion to destroying the creator of
this life. Or, there could be an ecological sense that destroying both the
producergeneration and its offspring could endanger the species.)
7. 2. Let’s take a brief break to consider this question: Can you see the
emerging theme and purpose of our “basic training?”
(Surely, we’re beginning to see in these early “skirmishes” that this is a fight
against our passions, our greed,our self-interest, gluttony, power,
dominion, that part of us that is pure animal, to live within the constraints
and limits that God has established for a people whose destiny is to
become anation of priests living within the Divine covenant. We
understand and respect the effect that our actions have on others and the
world, and to begin in all of its dimensions to live true to the principles of
love of neighbor. This is a fundamental battle in our lives, one in which God
can make us victorious.)
F. Read 8. What’s the lessonhere?
8. (The instinct may be to cut corners, assume all will be well, and the money
it would take to go the extra mile could be saved. On the contrary, one
must be vigilant and anticipate all reasonable risks to guests and guard
against them. Guarding against risk of harm in our house is a metaphor for
how we must show care in our lives.)
G Read 10. What’s the instinct here that concerns us?
(The instinct is to use all the animals in the field to maximum effect, even if
it means yoking different animals together for short term gain. This is not
respectful to the animals in that they work at different paces and in different
ways. It ends up being unproductive as well in the long term. This principle
obviously applies to the treatment of human beings as well.)
H. Read 23:16-17.What’s the urge that must be fought against here?
9. (First, it’s possible this a continuing erosionof the institution of servitude in
the Bible. Our instinct is probably to close the door, avoid the trouble, or
simply return the slave and rid ourselves of the bother. But, no, we should
not acquiesce to the power of the owner or the system. Our duty is to the
weak in need.
But, second, and more likely, this is a slave who is fleeing a master in the
town that the Israelites have taken in the land. In this situation, it would be
the prevention of the slave’s returning to a pagan life that would be the
driving motive. The Hebrew servant is freed, after all, after six years.
Yet, there is enough uncertainty in the text to make us take notice of
several possibilities.)
I. Read 19. What’s the problem that must be addressed here?
10. (It certainly would be advantageous to take the value and benefit from “the
wage of a prostitute.” It’s money that could be “used for the good,”
whatever its source. But the means matter. The source matters. An offering
that is tainted is tainted, and not suitable, worse in may ways than merely a
blemished offering. This is incompatible with the holiness to which we
aspire.)
J. Read 22. What is the instinct that worries us here?
(It’s easy to make vows. It feels good and right. But, once made, a vow is
often hard to fulfill. It has costs and is nicer conceived and made than
delivered. At the very least, we’re tempted to delay our fulfillment of it to a
later time. We should overcome and defeatthese instincts.
First, we should be careful and soberin making vows. But, once a vow is
made, we should rush to fulfill it. It’s a commitment to God. If we see it that
11. way and we value our relationship with, and duty to, God, we are anxious
to proceedand turn our promise (and any value we have committed)into
immediate service of God.)
K. Read 25-26.What are the urges that concern us here?
(The owner of the land would naturally preferto lose no value, and the
worker or sojourner would naturally want to take as much as possible for
himself/herself. We’re taught here to come to a fair and caring result, one in
which the personis supported in sustenance while working or traveling,
and yet the owner is protected against excess in which more than what is
needed is taken. Indeed, as the population grew, later laws limited the
extent to which wanderers can come on to one’s land and take food.This
balancing of interests, this curbing of the instinct to grab and take more
than what is fair and appropriate, surely guides us in so many related
episodes in life.)
L. Read 24:6,10-13.What’s the “enemy” here? How do we defeat it?
12. (The lender wants maximum security for a loan. The instinct is to dominate
the borrower, with maximum controls, partly to assure re-payment but also
perhaps to exhibit and deploypower. But the mitzvoth curb us. We can’t go
anywhere near that far, by, for instance, taking collateral that prevents the
debtorfrom doing his work.
We must respectthose who are weaker. We must love our neighbor. We
do so by seeing and honoring the dignity of the debtor. Our instinct is to
have total dominion over and be able at any time to assure the strength of
our debt or the security. It’s ours after all. But we’re limited. If the security is
in the debtor’s house, which is his/hers, we can’t cross that boundary, in
effect,violating his/her property interest and indeed the special space of
home. If the security is a garment that keeps him/her warm at night or gives
bedding, we must return it each night. This is righteousness in action. It
leads to a fellow’s blessing, or at least, God’s.)
13. M. Read 14-15.We’ve discussedthis before. What enemy do we defeat
here?
(It.s tempting to hold on to our money for as long as possible. We must
defeat that urge. The worker earned payment during the day, and the sun
should not set without our doing our part of the deal in making payment.)
N. Read 17-22.Again, we’ve covered this before. Why does Moses
emphasize it here?
(It’s tempting to want it all for ourselves, to maximize production, and fully
“exploitour land.” This is especially so, as it relates to the weak who live in
the shadows of our lives. God says, no! Pay attention to the weak, respect
them, reserve resources (for which we’re only stewards of God)for them.
We were strangers once ourselves, needing such help. Love your neighbor
as you love yourself.)
14. O. Read 25:1-4.What do we learn here?
(Punishment is in order when wrong has been done. But “over-punishment”
is a wrong in itself and unjustified, whether it reflects anger, zealousness,
other emotions or passions, or an excess dose of “justice.” Only sufficient
punishment is allowed.)
P. Read 25:13-16.What’s the urge we fight here?
(It’s so tempting to cheat when we know the chance of being caught is
close to non-existent. That’s the theme here. How would a customerknow
if a weight is slightly off to his/her disadvantage? But God knows. This is
unjust, and the injustice is compoundedby the stealth nature of it. Living in
covenant with others and God cannot abide this behavior; thus, the
concern and prohibition are expressed in such a prominent place.
15. Indeed this is so serious one is not allowed even to own an inaccurate
weight.)
Conclusion - We’ve now come virtually to the end of our exercise in basic
training. What effect did it have on you? What spiritual and ethical muscle
strengthening have you experienced? Whatlessons will you carry out with
you?
(It is said that that this portion is fundamentally about the irreducible dignity
and worth of the human being. The most marginal members of human
societyare created in the image of God and should be treated accordingly.
In addition, there are limits on all of us, in believing and acting as if we
stand so substantially above and beyond others or indeed our own
appropriate selves that we can forget these truths and our duties to God
and others.
16. There are lots of areas in which we learn this today: limits on the self
(acquisition, greed, passion, control, power, dominion), concernfor the
other, awareness of ever-present sense of duty to God, a growing feeling of
being bound to God’s expectations, a sense that God watches me and
wants me to live as instructed, an appreciation of life and the need to show
it respect and regard, an abhorrence of dishonesty and bad faith dealing,
regard and care and right treatment for the weak and those in need,
balance, discipline, value of tradition over current sentiment.
“Light is sown for the righteous.” Psalms 97:11.Last week we learned all
about pursuing righteousness. Today we learn about what the path of the
righteous looks like and how and why we walk it.
As tradition teaches, in each person’s mundane tasks, God has implanted
a kernel of sacred light so that when that personperforms adeed in accord
with God’s hopes, one that works God’s will in the world, this releases a
light that dispels the concealing darkness, and in his heart flowers a vision
of the Holy One. In that moment, we are reminded of our purpose in life - to
serve God. The ways we’ve studied today represent Divine counsel that
attach us to God and set us on a straight path.)