(Variants of this having been floating around the Internet for years. Pastors: good idea to have some answers, when a member of your congregation brings this to you!)

A Jewish netfriend writes: I hope this helps…

Dear friends,

Thank you for doing so much to educate people regarding God’s law. I have learned a great deal from this group and try to share that knowledge withas many people as I can. When someone tries to defend the homosexual lifestyle, for example, I simply remind them that Leviticus 18:22 clearly states it to be an abomination. End of debate. I do need some advice from you, however, regarding some other elements of God’s Laws and how to follow them:

1. Leviticus 25:44 states that I may possess slaves, both male and female, provided they are purchased from neighboring nations. A friend of mine claims that this applies to Mexicans, but not to Canadians. Can you clarify? Why can’t I own Canadians?

The verse applies to Jews taking Pagans as indentured slaves. The purpose of such slavery is to teach them about G-d, and to prevent them from committing idolatry. If the Pagan came to know G-d and converted, he was treated as an indentured servant and was released at Jubilee unless he bought his freedom sooner. If he rejected God he was deported from Israel at the begining of the next sabbatical year. Since you asked the question, you are not qualified to own any slaves.

2. I would like to sell my daughter into slavery, as sanctioned in Exodus 21:7. In this day and age, what do you think would be a fair price for her?

The servitude mentioned in Exodus 21:7-11 is not slavery. She is to be a bondswoman. The passage clearly indicates the purpose of the “sale.” The daughter’s marriage is arranged and the father receives the dowry early in exchange for allowing her to be raised in the household of her future husband. This was done when the girl’s family was poor and the husband’s family was wealthy. This way the daughter could have the advantages of a wealthy upbringing.

4. When I burn a bull on the altar as a sacrifice, I know it creates a pleasing odor for the Lord (Lev. 1:9). The problem is my neighbors. They claim the odor is not pleasing to them. Should I smite them?

First, if you are not a Kohen, you are not allowed to offer Burnt Offerings. A Kohen must be descended from The first High Priest Aharon Ben Amram, be physically fit to serve, and be trained in all the procedure of the Temple (this takes about 5 years). Second, Burnt Offerings may only be offered in the Temple in Jerusalem. Since the Third Temple has not yet been built, no one can offer Burnt Offerings. Third, There is no punishment given for someone who complains about the smoke from the Altar. This may be because no one ever complained.

5. I have a neighbor who insists on working on the Sabbath. Exodus 35:2 clearly states that he should be put to death. Am I morally obligated to kill him myself, or should I ask the police to do it?

No. He must be tried by a Beyt Din (Religious Court), according to the biblical rules evidence. If the Beyt Din does not have the authority to execute a death sentence, they will execute a lesser sentence, such as Karet (expulsion from the Community of Israel). In the diaspora (Outside Israel) Karet may be social rather than physical.

In case you are unaware of the biblical rules of jurisprudence… The accused has the right to face his accusers. There must be two witnesses who are in good standing in their synagogue, and who warned the accused that his actions would be a capital offence before he committed the sin, and who if reasonable attempted to prevent the accused from committing the sin, and who watched the entire process of the sin. That is why there were very few actual executions in ancient Israel

6. A friend of mine feels that, even though eating shellfish is an abomination (Lev. 11:10), it is a lesser abomination than homosexuality. I don’t agree. Can you settle this? Are there “degrees” of abomination?

Eating shellfish is an abomination, however it does not deserve the death penalty; living a homosexual lifestyle does. Since Homosexual behavior deserves the death penalty, it is considered more severe sin. In fact, a believer should die before even allowing himself to be forced to commit sexual immorality. This does not apply to rape victims because the Bible characterizes rape as violence not sexuality.

7. Lev. 21:20 states that I may not approach the altar of God if I have a defect in my sight. I have to admit that I wear reading glasses. Does my vision have to be 20/20, or is there some wiggle-room here?

First, As I explained above, if you are not a Kohen you may not approach the Altar of G-d in any case. Second, the phrase “tvalul b`eyno” refers to a white line that extends from the white if the eye through the iris. If you a were afflicted with that condition, you would not be eligible to serve at the Atlar of G-d, even if you were a Kohen.

8. Most of my male friends get their hair trimmed, including the hair around their temples, even though this is expressly forbidden by Lev. 19:27. How should they die?

First, the verse says that it is forbidden to “round off the edge of the scalp.” This refers to shaving the hairline from the ear to the forehead. Second, this sin does not require the death penalty.

9. I know from Lev. 11:6-8 that touching the skin of a dead pig makes me unclean, but may I still play football if I wear gloves?

First, the prohibition against touching the carcass means the carcass; it does not extend to items made from the animal such as leather. Though such leather would not be fit for use in any religious item.

Second, I have only seen rubber and cow hide footballs at my local sporting goods store. So, the question is irrelevant.

10. My uncle has a farm. He violates Lev. 19:19 by planting two different crops in the same field, as does his wife by wearing garments made of two different kinds of thread (cotton/polyester blend). He also tends to curse and blaspheme a lot. Is it really necessary that we go to all the trouble of getting the whole town together to stone them (Lev.24:10-16)? Couldn’t we just burn them to death at a private family affair, like we do with people who sleep with their in-laws (Lev. 20:14)?

First, the sin of planting a mixed field does not warrant the death penalty. Second, the cotton polyester blend is not a sin. Wearing a garment made from a mixture of fibers of different origin (plant versus animal) is forbidden. Manmade fibers are neutral and can be mixed with either. Third, the wearing of a garment made form fibers if different origins is not a capital offence. Fourth, a blasphemer must be convicted by a Beyt Din. The same rules that I outlined above apply to all capital crimes. Fifth, Leviticus 20:14 outlines a capital crime. The same rules for conviction apply to this case.

I know you people have studied these things extensively and thus enjoy considerable expertise in such matters, so I am confident you can help.

Thank you again for reminding us that God’s word is eternal and unchanging.

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