Commandments

Greetings:

(Published for Yaakov Kohen while he is having trouble with WordPress)

While you may or may not be aware, the English translations of the commandments in the bible are not the same as those in the JPS (Jewish Publication Society) of the Masoretic text. For example, where the KJ bible says, "Thou shalt not kill." the NKJ and the JPS both say, "Thou shalt not murder." Quite a difference.

I've always wondered about which commandments to follow and which ones were not quite necessary. Lately, I've become convinced that all 611 (or 621 according to some guys) should be followed as much as the land in which you live will allow. For example, we cannot stone someone for adultery. We could shun them, I suppose, or ask them to leave the synagogue if they remain unrepentant and continue their relationship. Still, it isn't the same thing. G-d is a forgiving G-d but a jealous G-d and He wants us to follow all of His commandments. [No, we can not and should not stone our members for adultry!  Please do NOT say that I am preaching that policy!!!]

What about the commandments on sacrificing a lamb or dove? Well, we can't do those until the temple in Jerusalem is restored and, right now, The Dome of the Rock (Islam) is sitting on top of the Temple of Jerusalem. So far, G-d has not commanded anyone to build another Temple in another place so we're stuck with waiting for Messiah - or the 2nd coming of Messiah according to some.

BUT, and this is the important part, we SHOULD keep those commandments that can be kept. Do NOT marry your sister or niece or step-mother and the like. Treat your neighbor as yourself.  Keep the Sabbath. (I wrote quite a bit on this subject over at WordPress.)  Even if you aren't a Jew (I really hate the word "Jewish" - it sounds like you just trying to be part of the "Jew Stew") then you might think about putting a mezuzah on your door (usually available at your local synagogue or on-line) and actually touch it as you go out (to remind you that all of your actions during the day should be pleasing to G-d) and as you come in (to remind you while you are at home.) READ part of the TaNaKh (Bible) every day to remind you of what G-d has said that you should and should not do. There are a lot of "shoulds" in the Torah. Most of them are applicable in today's world. Even though you probably won't find your neighbors ox wandering down the road in your neighborhood, you might find his wallet. And finding anything that is not yours means that you should try to find the rightful owner.  Remember, for a Jew, this is not the "Finders Keepers" mantra of the world.

Anyway, just some thoughts. Remember Pinchus: Be Zealous for G-d and He will be Zealous for you.

SDG

Yaakov