29.03.2013 Views

The Life and Times of Jesus the Messiah Vol 1 - Predestination

The Life and Times of Jesus the Messiah Vol 1 - Predestination

The Life and Times of Jesus the Messiah Vol 1 - Predestination

SHOW MORE
SHOW LESS

You also want an ePaper? Increase the reach of your titles

YUMPU automatically turns print PDFs into web optimized ePapers that Google loves.

comparatively small, numbering only about<br />

6,000 members,* <strong>the</strong> foUowing particulars may be<br />

<strong>of</strong> interest. <strong>The</strong> J^^J^ object <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> association was<br />

tw<strong>of</strong>old: to observe in <strong>the</strong> strictest manner, <strong>and</strong><br />

according to traditional law, all <strong>the</strong> ordinances<br />

concerning Levitical purity, <strong>and</strong> to be extremely<br />

punctilious in all connected with religious dues<br />

(ti<strong>the</strong>s <strong>and</strong> all o<strong>the</strong>r dues). A person might<br />

undertake only <strong>the</strong> second, without <strong>the</strong> first <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong>se<br />

obligations. In that case he was simply a Neeman^<br />

an ' accredited one,' with whom one might enter<br />

freely into commerce, as he was supposed to have<br />

paid all dues. But a person could not undertake <strong>the</strong><br />

vow <strong>of</strong> Levitical purity without also taking <strong>the</strong><br />

obligation <strong>of</strong> all religious dues. K he undertook<br />

both vows he was a Chahhery or associate. Here<br />

<strong>the</strong>re were four degrees, marking an ascending<br />

scale <strong>of</strong> Levitical purity, or separation from all<br />

that was pr<strong>of</strong>ane.^ In opposition to <strong>the</strong>se was <strong>the</strong><br />

\^?^'^ Am ha-a/retSy or * country people' (<strong>the</strong><br />

people which knew not, or t®^*'- ^ • cared not for<br />

<strong>the</strong> Law, <strong>and</strong> were regarded as * cursed'). But it

Hooray! Your file is uploaded and ready to be published.

Saved successfully!

Ooh no, something went wrong!