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Date Posted: 16:27:41 01/21/08 Mon
Author: Reverential Roger (Adonai ehad)
Subject: Living Biblically

I've recently finished reading a book called, 'The Year of Living Biblically' by A.J. Jacobs. It is a very interesting and detailed account of an attempt by a New York Jewish Agnostic to live an entire year as closely to the Biblical rules as possible.

He takes the task seriously, and comes up with some interesting insights into religious belief and life that rang true for me, and assisted my own search into Christianity.

One of these insights was into the phrase "Thou shalt not make unto thee a graven image...for I am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children, upon the third and upon the fourth generation of htem that hate me." As with Jacobs, I was always troubled by this passage, as it seemed most unfair to blame the children for the sins of the fathers. The Jewish analysis of this is, and they've been doing it longer than we Christians have, that children tend to imitate their parents in belief and attitude. As long as children of those who hate God continue in that attitude, God will reward them accordingly. However, a new generation that does not hate God will be restored to God. That's a fairly pragmatic take on the words of the Law, and one that makes sense to me.

Another is the problem of how to avoid coveting. The suggestion from the Jewish point of view is to decide that the thing coveted is simply not available to you. For example, if you covet your neighbour's wife, she is as out of your league as a Royal princess. You can talk to her, but anything else is out of the question. I might find that one harder.

I think I am going to have to spend a little more time with Jewish thought. I have long admired some aspects of Jewish theology, and I am sure that there is a lot to learn there.

Is anyone in contact with our Jewish friend from PM?

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