In our mouths and in our hearts: Day 19
(Introduction.)
Today: Oaths and vows
211. “Do not deal deceitfully” (Leviticus 19:11) = don’t deny that you have something that has been entrusted to you
212. “Do not deal falsely with one another.” (Leviticus 19:11) = don’t make an oath denying that something is in your possession
213. “By God’s name you shall swear.” (Deuteronomy 10:20) = if for some reason you’re making an oath, and if you’re telling the truth
214. “You must fulfill what has crossed your lips and perform what you have voluntarily vowed to Adonai your God, having made the promise with your own mouth.” (Deuteronomy 23:24)
215. “If a person makes a vow to God or takes an oath imposing an obligation on him/herself, s/he shall not break his/her pledge.” (Numbers 30:3)
216. The procedure for annulling vows (Numbers 30:3-16)
217. “The hair of [a nazirite’s] head shall be left to grow untrimmed.” (Numbers 6:5)
218. “Throughout the term of his/her vow as a nazirite, no razor shall touch his/her head.” (Numbers 6:5)
219. “[The nazirite] shall not drink wine or any other intoxicant, or vinegar of wine or of any other intoxicant, and shall not drink anything in which grapes have been steeped.” (Numbers 6:3)
220. “Fresh grapes … [the nazirite] shall not eat.” (Numbers 6:3)
221. “Dried grapes [the nazirite] shall not eat.” (Numbers 6:3)
222. “Throughout his/her term as nazirite, s/he shall not eat anything that is obtained from the grape — even seeds…” (Numbers 6:4)
223. “…or skin.” (Numbers 6:4) = of the grape
224. “Throughout the term that the nazirite has set apart for God, s/he shall not go in where there is a dead person.” (Numbers 6:6)
225. “Even if [the nazirite’s] father or mother or brother or sister should die, s/he must not defile him/herself for them.” (Numbers 6:7) = or for any other dead person
All those who joke that I’m a nazir because I don’t cut my hair or drink alcohol can read this list and see otherwise! I trim my hair, eat fresh and dried grapes (including the skin), drink grape juice, eat vinegar, and go to cemeteries.
Hi from the NHC Chesapeake Retreat!!!