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The registration for the May semester is open!
The Biblical course starts May 17. We have a limited number of places available, so don't be left out.
Enroll in the May Modern Hebrew course, starting May 31. Hone, improve and develop your Hebrew skills.
Your portion of the weekly portion -
and this week we will discuss "BeHar - Bexukotai". our Biblical Hebrew newsletter is happy to present you the Jewish weekly portion of the week, which is read during prayer services on the Sabbath.
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Dear friends,
In light of the world-wide epidemic of Swine Flu and the medical treatment of it, this week's newsletter will be dedicated to the treatment of disease and medical practices in biblical times.
Naturally, the ultimate healer in the Bible is God. He is often called upon to heal illnesses of the body as well as of the soul. A good example of such a call to God is when the prophet Jeremiah, harassed by the people and living in misery, prays to God:
רְפָאֵנִי ה' וְאֵרָפֵא הוֹשִׁיעֵנִי וְאִוָּשֵׁעָה כִּי תְהִלָּתִי אָָתָּה
"Heal me, God, and I shall be healed; Save me, and I shall be saved; for you are my praise" (Jeremiah 17:14)
We also hear of one man, Asa king of Judah, who is criticized for turning to the doctors instead of trusting God (2 Chronicles 16:12). However, when medical advice is used properly and while trusting God, it is recommended, and from some cases where medical methods were used we can learn a little bit about the medical practices of the time.
Isaiah Heals King Hezekiah
During the rule of Hezekiah, Jerusalem was threatened by the Assyrians, and besieged by King Sennacherib. Miraculously, Sennacherib and his troops retreated and Jerusalem was saved. After this, Hezekiah became ill, and the prophet Isaiah announces to him that he will die of the illness. Hezekiah then prays to God, asking him to remember his righteousness and crying. God then tells Isaiah to return to Hezekiah and tell him that God has agreed to heal him, and give him an additional fifteen years to live. Only after this divine pardon, does Isaiah then also command that a medical remedy be given - placing a cake of dry figs on Hezekiah's boil. We see here that a medical remedy is helpful, but only when God has already promised to heal Hezekiah.
Ancient quarantine?
In Leviticus 13-15, all the laws of the many different kinds of biblical leprosy are given. Biblical leprosy is a completely different disease than modern leprosy, and is diagnosed not by a doctor but by a priest. The most common way of dealing with leprosy is confinement for seven days and additional confinement if it is not healed after a week. When Miriam, the sister of Moses and Aaron, is inflicted with leprosy as a punishment for speaking ill of Moses and his wife, we hear that she is not only confined but also quarantined, outside the Israelite camp, for seven days.
One must wonder about this punishment for leprosy. It certainly sounds possible that part of the treatment is a form of quarantine, in order to prevent the disease from spreading.
Compensation for Medical Expenses
In Exodus 21, many important social laws are given. Among them, there is a law concerning the damages caused in a fistfight between two people. If one of the people is injured, but not killed, as long as he recovers enough to walk with a staff, the offender is not liable, but only obligated to pay for the loss of time, and for his full recovery.
Have a great week!
The Biblical Hebrew Online Team.
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מַחֲלָה
Transcription: Maxala
Literal Meaning: sickness, disease
Maxala is also the word used for sickness in Modern Hebrew. In one instance, the plagues of Egypt are referred to as a Maxala. After the parting of the Reed Sea, God promised the people that if they listen to him and keep his laws, he will not bring any of the Maxalas of Egypt on them, for I am God your healer䓔 (Exodus 15:26).
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מַגֵּפָה
Transcription: Magefa
Literal Meaning: Plague
Many times during the Israelites wondering in the desert, they are inflicted with a plague as punishment for their different complaints and transgressions. These plagues are resolved by cultic acts such as smelling incense or praying to God.
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Good Day Brethren in Christ
I have been reading your news letter - Classical News Letter and it has been an utmost beneficial to me at least in sharing with my colleague in church.
Please continue share with us the basic Hebrew phrases in the Biblical context, as these helps us to understand vividly some terminologies in the Bible more especially in the Old Testament Books.
It is my prayer that God Almighty continues increase boundaries - Amen.
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| Amoo, Ghana |
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The grace and peace of our Lord Jesus Christ the love of God and the sweet fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all. I am happy to be a member of this family and I wish to always be . love u all.
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Stephen
Kaduna State University |
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Hello everyone! I truly enjoyed reading my first newsletter from israel, that holy land! It was great reading those hebrew words. Send me more newsletters regularly!
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I would like to greet all who participate in God's ways and all those who worship Him in truth. I thank you for your insight and good teaching about wine. I myself do not drink wine or any for form of intoxicants but, I believe that it is not forbidden to drink. I wish many people would read your news letter, especially here in Africa where most Christians, at one time myself included, believe that drinking beer is a sin as opposed to drunkeness!
Shalom
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Shallom!Thank you for having tought me about drinks in your culture.But where is it from that in our churches herein africa it is forbidden to alcohlic drinks?Go on teaching Hebrew language,it will help us to undestand your culture.May God bless you.
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I'm so delighted to learn much more about God's words especilly about wine.I thank your organization for this and is my prayer that others visit your website to learn much.God bless your organization.
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Shalom,
Thank you for caring to send me your newsletter. it is very informative, friendly and fascinating to me. Congratulations to all the members of the newsletter team. It is my eternal dream to visit your biblical country but due to financial constraints it would seem to remain just a dream.
By your kindness, i am seeing your country every time you send me newsletter.
Sincerely,
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Shalom!
I studied at St. George's College Jerusalem last year. I was also in the Hebrew University of Jerusalem in Mount Scopus in December last year. As a Priest, Biblical Hebrew has been my dream language and I'm pursuing it. Thank you for the newsletter. It's helping me a lot. I'll soon come back to Israel again for full study. Keep it up and may you not fall.
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Shalom,
Thank you and God Bless all of you who are doing this wonderful work. As I was reading the newsletter and happen to click into the window; Walk barefoot with the text, I experience a calm feeling and finally discovering the hidden treasure the Bible so often talk about.
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Thank you for sending the newsletter on a regular basis
I find it adds to my Old Testament Studies and I appreciate it very much
the Old Testament comes alive
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Shalom,
First half of may 2009 I'll visit Israel and also my plan is to visit your office in Ramat Gan to discuss with you my study plan because I am a busy person and I want to do business and study together.
Hope to see you in May 2009
Yours sincerely
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