Wrong about Rites and Rights

Sadly, in every cultural war issue in this country religion is used by people in low level obnoxious ways to legitimate and affirm their already existing political, moral, and psychological positions.

So if we are politically liberal then not surprisingly we seem to cite precisely those religious texts, principles, and values that support our liberal views and if we are conservative then not surprisingly we seem to cite precisely those religious texts, principles, and values that support our conservative views. (And this is especially so with regard to issues of sexuality.) And what is worse is how each side believes that legitimating their already existing view with religious sources is some sort of trump card rather than seeing how it is simply using religion as bad apologetics, making religion irrelevant and insuring that religion contributes no added and desperately needed wisdom or insight to the public conversation.

Just once it would be refreshing for a religious person to say, "In wrestling with my religious tradition, which reminds me that every human being is an Image of God, my preexisting view of things has been shaken and I see a bit more clearly that I need to find and include the partial truth in the view of my fellow human beings who I have always thought were dead wrong."

Just once it would be revitalizing for a religious person to say, as they engaged their spiritual tradition "In grappling with what the Infinite wants of me in deciding this divisive issue, I realize that my inevitably finite judgment has not captured the insight of those with whom I disagree and I feel religiously compelled somehow to integrate some aspect of their insight into my thinking."

Instead what we get is the expected polarized expressions in which people 100% certain that they are right, the very opposite of the humility, uncertainty, and mystery that ought to characterize a genuine religious and spiritual personality, yell at each other and demonize one another.

The question of whether marriage is a legal right or a sacred rite is actually beside the point because this issue is not about rites or rights. The "rites people" (generally our conservative ideologues the most vociferous of whom seem more often than we might expect to actually be gay) do not really care about the marriage rite - a profoundly symbolic way two people in love unconditionally bind and obligate themselves to each other that expresses the sense that there is more present in the relationship than just them - whatever one calls that Presence.

If they cared about the rite they would be focused on the bonds of love rather than the particular lovers making the covenant. If the "rites people" really cared about the (family) value of such bonds and the reason we have such rites, which among them is our sense that society is healthier when people do deeply commit to stay with each other despite the complexities and challenges of our journeys, they would understand and admire, even though they disagreed with the particular relationship, that more people in this country want to be in committed monogamous relationships.

But in truth the "rites people" don't care about the sacred rites and the deep commitments that such rites frame and witness rather they are freaked out by the love shared by two people of the same gender and so offer hysterical and angry views that somehow gay marriages will undermine heterosexual marriage. Of course, how exactly the serious valuing of marriage by a community, many of whose members just a few decades ago saw marriage and monogamy as an oppressive institution and something to fight, will undermine marriage is never explained.

The "legal rights people" (generally our liberal ideologues the most vociferous of whom seem more often than not to not be very religious people if not downright secular) are equally hypocritical. They do not really care about the rights, (I admit this is a bit harsh as of course they want and deserve those rights) after all if they did they would concentrate solely on making sure that every single right that married people had was enjoyed by gay couples who were similarly committed. Rather than worry about the label and term marriage, which is obviously explosive and evokes fiery opposition, those concerned about rights of gay couples would insure that every right down to the very last detail that married couples enjoy would be granted and mandated for gay couples.

Moreover, it is generally liberals, educated in basic post-modern hermeneutics, who should be comfortable in understanding and letting go of the "merely" symbolic and focusing not on some rhetorical victory to call oneself married but on the content of the word marriage. If the "legal rights" people really cared about rights they would not focus on the label marriage which provokes a volatile and aggressive reaction which in the last election probably cost the very party most committed to legal rights for gay people the presidency leading to the appointment of judges actually hostile to gay rights. They would focus on every single right and in the process empty the label of its differences. After all, who needs the state's agreement regarding marriage? There are religious communities throughout this country in every religion in which a gay couple can be married. But in truth the "legal rights people' do not care exclusively about legal rights. They also want (perhaps understandably but never-the-less not terribly appropriate) the other side's affirmation, legitimation, and utter defeat and they think getting the legal right to call their relationship marriage will somehow accomplish this.

While personally I am happy with the social policy expressed in the Supreme Court's overturning the ban on gay marriage, it would have been far more productive for the Supreme Court to have ruled something like this. What we the Supreme Court cares about and is responsible for is to insure that there are equal rights under the protection of the law for anyone in publicly contracted relationships. Therefore every single legal right that a married couple has in this state is to be equally enjoyed by any gay couple who has formally and legally contracted their relationship in the manner the state requires of married people.

But we do not care about what people call these relationships and will allow the citizens of California to fight out between them selves how the language of marriage is to be used. For that is not a question of legal rights but a question of world view, morality, and religious beliefs - areas that fas secular judges are not in our purview. We the Supreme Court have made sure that whatever people want to call their deepest committed relationships has no implications at all regarding the legal rights people have. Those rights need to be equal under the law and we will be absolutely vigilant in insuring that this will always be the case. But it is up to the citizens of this great state to argue about how the term marriage should be used and to engage in the important conversations about morality and world views implicit in that discussion. It is precisely citizens having these sorts of discussions amongst them selves about what they value most and how they understand their humanness, all while enjoying the protection of absolutely equal rights, that enables us to learn about each other and that ultimately binds us as a nation. We have no interest in short circuiting that process.

Instead everything is all mixed up. Marriage, a label and name of a sacred rite is confused with the rights of people who commit them selves to each other in state sanctioned (civil) unions whatever those unions may be called. And the legal content of civil unions, which is the state's business, is confused with the label and name marriage which has indeed historically/traditionally belonged to the religious domain.

So we wind up with religious conservatives fighting against the idea of people getting married, one of the most conservative institutions in society and one of the ultimate family values. And we have liberals worrying about the name and label marriage rather than simply the rights/content of marriage and thereby unnecessarily provoking and evoking angry opposition that might otherwise not really be able to organize against the very rights which gay couples want and to which they are entitled. And we have a Supreme Court that over reaches and confuses legal content, its legitimate domain, with deciding who can use the term marriage which for centuries and centuries has been a religious symbol leaving itself open to the critique of being an activist court making social policy that ought to be made by the people. And we have we the people who rather than engage in the important national conversation about marriage in which we reveal to each other our fears and hopes and our psycho-spiritual states of awareness are dulled or is it entertained by angry polarizing partisans who bring far more heat than light.

By Irwin Kula | May 23, 2008; 12:55 PM ET Save & Share:
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Harold said:
"... If you can show me scripture to enlighten me or prove me wrong, do so."

You go first Harold. Show us the evidence you have that proves the existence of your god and then we'll talk!

Posted by: Freestinker | May 27, 2008 5:32 PM
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Hrm, the below would read better if it started out with "The notion" rather than "The fact." Poor editing on my part. :)

Posted by: Paganplace | May 26, 2008 12:37 PM
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The fact that even Republican-appointed justices of California must rule for the Constitution, fairness, and equal protection has anything to do with 'liberals squabbling over a word' which you'd prefer to keep the power to define, Rabbi, is a presumption that has really nothing to do with this court ruling.

Civil unions may be a more-acceptable way to grant folks like me something more like equal rights in practical reality: the courts must find for equal protection under the law, and ensure that laws are Constitutional.

The notion of 'Separate but equal' was invalidated throughout the latter half of the last century, ...the fact that many of the same arguments used by racists to try and oppress interracial couples are the exact same as are used against same-sex couples should be a dead giveaway on that. But the fact's largely-ignored.

Along with the fact that judges are not supposed to be politicians. They're supposed to represent Justice.

Even a popular unfairness, even about a 'word' you want to limit, ....that's not justice.

If you want same-sex couples to 'settle' for civil unions, then pony up with the civil unions, people, instead of in fact trying to pass laws *against* them, which prove the necessity for our equal rights as Americans to be protected absolutely.

Posted by: Paganplace | May 24, 2008 11:53 AM
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shall smite the corners of Moab
destroy all the children of Sheth

I shall see him, but not now: I shall behold him, but not nigh: there shall come a Star out of Jacob, and a Sceptre shall rise out of Israel, and shall smite the corners of Moab, and destroy all the children of Sheth.

I shall see him, but not now
there shall come a Star out of Jacob
and shall smite the corners of Moab

I shall behold him, but not nigh
a Sceptre shall rise out of Israel
destroy all the children of Sheth

1. This is the book of the generations of Adam. In the day that God created man, in the likeness of God made he him;
2. Male and female created he them; and blessed them, and called their name Adam, in the day when they were created.
3. And Adam lived an hundred and thirty years, and begat a son in his own likeness, after his image; and called his name Seth:
4. And the days of Adam after he had begotten Seth were eight hundred years: and he begat sons and daughters:
5. And all the days that Adam lived were nine hundred and thirty years: and he died.
6. And Seth lived an hundred and five years, and begat Enos:
7. And Seth lived after he begat Enos eight hundred and seven years, and begat sons and daughters:
8. And all the days of Seth were nine hundred and twelve years: and he died.
9. And Enos lived ninety years, and begat Cainan:
10. And Enos lived after he begat Cainan eight hundred and fifteen years, and begat sons and daughters:
11. And all the days of Enos were nine hundred and five years: and he died.

1 Chronicles 1
Adam, Sheth, Enosh,
2. Kenan, Mahalaleel, Jered,
3. Henoch, Methuselah, Lamech,
4. Noah, Shem, Ham, and Japheth.

Where is Cain and Abel?

Genesis 4
1. And Adam knew Eve his wife; and she conceived, and bare Cain, and said, I have gotten a man from the Lord.
2. And she again bare his brother Abel. And Abel was a keeper of sheep, but Cain was a tiller of the ground.
15. And the Lord said unto him, Therefore whosoever slayeth Cain, vengeance shall be taken on him sevenfold. And the Lord set a mark upon Cain, lest any finding him should kill him.
16. And Cain went out from the presence of the Lord, and dwelt in the land of Nod, on the east of Eden.
17. And Cain knew his wife; and she conceived, and bare Enoch: and he builded a city, and called the name of the city, after the name of his son, Enoch.
18. And unto Enoch was born Irad: and Irad begat Mehujael: and Mehujael begat Methusael: and Methusael begat Lamech.
19. And Lamech took unto him two wives: the name of the one was Adah, and the name of the other Zillah.
20. And Adah bare Jabal: he was the father of such as dwell in tents, and of such as have cattle.
21. And his brother's name was Jubal: he was the father of all such as handle the harp and organ.
22. And Zillah, she also bare Tubalcain, an instructer of every artificer in brass and iron: and the sister of Tubalcain was Naamah.
23. And Lamech said unto his wives, Adah and Zillah, Hear my voice; ye wives of Lamech, hearken unto my speech: for I have slain a man to my wounding, and a young man to my hurt.
24. If Cain shall be avenged sevenfold, truly Lamech seventy and sevenfold.

25. And Adam knew his wife again; and she bare a son, and called his name Seth: For God, said she, hath appointed me another seed instead of Abel, whom Cain slew.
42. And to Seth, to him also there was born a son; and he called his name Enos: then began men to call upon the name of the Lord.

Where is Cain?

“Cain went out from the presence of the Lord”

Ecclesiastes 3

1. To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven:
2. A time to be born, and a time to die; a time to plant, and a time to pluck up that which is planted;
3. A time to kill, and a time to heal; a time to break down, and a time to build up;
4. A time to weep, and a time to laugh; a time to mourn, and a time to dance;
5. A time to cast away stones, and a time to gather stones together; a time to embrace, and a time to refrain from embracing;
6. A time to get, and a time to lose; a time to keep, and a time to cast away;
7. A time to rend, and a time to sew; a time to keep silence, and a time to speak;
8. A time to love, and a time to hate; a time of war, and a time of peace.

A time to love, and a time to hate; a time of war, and a time of peace.
Cain, Abel, Seth, Enos

to him also there was born a son; and he called his name Enos: then began men to call upon the name of the Lord.

And the Lord God said unto the serpent, Because thou hast done this, thou art cursed above all cattle, and above every beast of the field; upon thy belly shalt thou go, and dust shalt thou eat all the days of thy life:

And Abel, he also brought of the firstlings of his flock and of the fat thereof. And the Lord had respect unto Abel and to his offering:

There are three kinds
naked, the man and his wife, and were not ashamed
they knew that they were naked; and they sewed fig leaves together, and made themselves aprons.
Adam also and to his wife did the Lord God make coats of skins

they knew that they were naked; and they sewed fig leaves together, and made themselves aprons.
Adam knew Eve his wife; and she conceived, and bare Cain, and said, I have gotten a man from the Lord.
Cain
Leviticus 26

1. Ye shall make you no idols nor graven image, neither rear you up a standing image, neither shall ye set up any image of stone in your land, to bow down unto it: for I am the Lord your God.
2. Ye shall keep my sabbaths, and reverence my sanctuary: I am the Lord.
3. If ye walk in my statutes, and keep my commandments, and do them;
4. Then I will give you rain in due season, and the land shall yield her increase, and the trees of the field shall yield their fruit.
5. And your threshing shall reach unto the vintage, and the vintage shall reach unto the sowing time: and ye shall eat your bread to the full, and dwell in your land safely.
6. And I will give peace in the land, and ye shall lie down, and none shall make you afraid: and I will rid evil beasts out of the land, neither shall the sword go through your land.
7. And ye shall chase your enemies, and they shall fall before you by the sword.
8. And five of you shall chase an hundred, and an hundred of you shall put ten thousand to flight: and your enemies shall fall before you by the sword.
9. For I will have respect unto you, and make you fruitful, and multiply you, and establish my covenant with you.

Adam also and to his wife did the Lord God make coats of skins
Abel, Seth

And Abel, he also brought of the firstlings of his flock and of the fat thereof. And the Lord had respect unto Abel and to his offering:

Ye shall not respect persons in judgment; but ye shall hear the small as well as the great; ye shall not be afraid of the face of man; for the judgment is God's: and the cause that is too hard for you, bring it unto me, and I will hear it.

Thou shalt not wrest judgment; thou shalt not respect persons, neither take a gift: for a gift doth blind the eyes of the wise, and pervert the words of the righteous.

naked, the man and his wife, and were not ashamed
Enos
to him also there was born a son; and he called his name Enos: then began men to call upon the name of the Lord.
These are the words of Job, “Naked came I out of my mother's womb, and naked shall I return thither: the Lord gave, and the Lord hath taken away; blessed be the name of the Lord.”

I shall see him, but not now
there shall come a Star out of Jacob
and shall smite the corners of Moab

I shall behold him, but not nigh
a Sceptre shall rise out of Israel
destroy all the children of Sheth

Now the man Moses was very meek, above all the men which were upon the face of the earth

“Moses was very meek”

And as soon as the lad was gone, David arose out of a place toward the south, and fell on his face to the ground, and bowed himself three times: and they kissed one another, and wept one with another, until David exceeded.
And Jonathan said to David, Go in peace, forasmuch as we have sworn both of us in the name of the Lord, saying, The Lord be between me and thee, and between my seed and thy seed for ever. And he arose and departed: and Jonathan went into the city.

“The Lord be between me and thee, and between my seed and thy seed for ever”

Mercy and truth are met together; righteousness and peace have kissed each other.

And in thy majesty ride prosperously because of truth and meekness and righteousness; and thy right hand shall teach thee terrible things.

“truth and meekness and righteousness”
Mercy and truth, meekness, righteousness and peace

Hear the right, O Lord, attend unto my cry, give ear unto my prayer, that goeth not out of feigned lips.
Let my sentence come forth from thy presence; let thine eyes behold the things that are equal.

“let thine eyes behold the things that are equal.”

Behold, the eye of the Lord is upon them that fear him, upon them that hope in his mercy;
To deliver their soul from death, and to keep them alive in famine.

The eyes of the Lord are upon the righteous, and his ears are open unto their cry.

“hope in his mercy” “eyes behold the things that are equal.” “peace”

There is no mercy when there is no peace.

I say to the world, be at peace with Israel; seek truth, meekness, righteousness.

A time to be born
a time to heal
a time to laugh
a time to embrace
a time to keep
a time to speak
A time to love
a time of peace

Mark the perfect man, and behold the upright: for the end of that man is peace.

There was a man in the land of Uz, whose name was Job; and that man was perfect and upright, and one that feared God, and eschewed evil.

Naked came I out of my mother's womb, and naked shall I return thither: the Lord gave, and the Lord hath taken away; blessed be the name of the Lord.

And ye shall eat in plenty, and be satisfied, and praise the name of the Lord your God, that hath dealt wondrously with you: and my people shall never be ashamed.
And ye shall know that I am in the midst of Israel, and that I am the Lord your God, and none else: and my people shall never be ashamed.
And it shall come to pass afterward, that I will pour out my spirit upon all flesh; and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, your old men shall dream dreams, your young men shall see visions:
And also upon the servants and upon the handmaids in those days will I pour out my spirit.
And I will shew wonders in the heavens and in the earth, blood, and fire, and pillars of smoke.
The sun shall be turned into darkness, and the moon into blood, before the great and the terrible day of the Lord come.
And it shall come to pass, that whosoever shall call on the name of the Lord shall be delivered: for in mount Zion and in Jerusalem shall be deliverance, as the Lord hath said, and in the remnant whom the Lord shall call.

“my people shall never be ashamed”

Naked came I out of my mother's womb, and naked shall I return thither: the Lord gave, and the Lord hath taken away; blessed be the name of the Lord.

“ye shall know that I am in the midst of Israel”

Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit within me.
Cast me not away from thy presence; and take not thy holy spirit from me.

“holy spirit”

“Lord God, heavens and of the earth when they were created made the earth and the heavens”
“the Lord God had not caused it to rain upon the earth”
“there was not a man to till the ground.”
“there went up a mist from the earth”
“watered the whole face of the ground”
“Lord God formed man of the dust of the ground”
“breathed into his nostrils the breath of life”
“man became a living soul”

“I will pour out my spirit upon all flesh”

And the Lord said, My spirit shall not always strive with man, for that he also is flesh: yet his days shall be an hundred and twenty years.

“My spirit shall his days shall be an hundred and twenty years”

And Moses went and spake these words unto all Israel.
And he said unto them, I am an hundred and twenty years old this day; I can no more go out and come in: also the Lord hath said unto me, Thou shalt not go over this Jordan.
The Lord thy God, he will go over before thee, and he will destroy these nations from before thee, and thou shalt possess them: and Joshua, he shall go over before thee, as the Lord hath said.

“Moses went and spake these words unto all Israel, I am an hundred and twenty years old this day”

And Joshua the son of Nun was full of the spirit of wisdom; for Moses had laid his hands upon him: and the children of Israel hearkened unto him, and did as the Lord commanded Moses.

“spirit of wisdom; for Moses”

“upon the servants and upon the handmaids in those days will I pour out my spirit.”

Now these be the last words of David. David the son of Jesse said, and the man who was raised up on high, the anointed of the God of Jacob, and the sweet psalmist of Israel, said,
The Spirit of the Lord spake by me, and his word was in my tongue.
The God of Israel said, the Rock of Israel spake to me, He that ruleth over men must be just, ruling in the fear of God.
And he shall be as the light of the morning, when the sun riseth, even a morning without clouds; as the tender grass springing out of the earth by clear shining after rain.
Although my house be not so with God; yet he hath made with me an everlasting covenant, ordered in all things, and sure: for this is all my salvation, and all my desire, although he make it not to grow.

“The Spirit of the Lord spake by me, and his word was in my tongue.”

And it shall come to pass, that whosoever shall call on the name of the Lord shall be delivered: for in mount Zion and in Jerusalem shall be deliverance, as the Lord hath said, and in the remnant whom the Lord shall call.

“ye shall know that I am in the midst of Israel”
“there went up a mist from the earth”
“holy spirit”
“I will pour out my spirit upon all flesh”
“spirit of wisdom; for Moses”
“upon the servants and upon the handmaids in those days will I pour out my spirit.”
“The Spirit of the Lord spake by me, and his word was in my tongue.”

“that whosoever shall call on the name of the Lord shall be delivered”

Because he hath set his love upon me, therefore will I deliver him: I will set him on high, because he hath known my name.
He shall call upon me, and I will answer him: I will be with him in trouble; I will deliver him, and honour him.
With long life will I satisfy him, and shew him my salvation.

Posted by: harold | May 24, 2008 12:31 AM
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Rabbi Kula, you've done this question a great service by getting to the heart of the matter as approached from both sides. Why can't our politicians, judges, and activists tend more toward clear thinking than toward political/legal/activist robotics?

Posted by: rafael | May 23, 2008 11:34 PM
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Rabbi said, “which reminds me that every human being is an Image of God” This belief is far from the truth. I have exposed Truth and Righteousness; During the course of my posts, I have shown the mercy of the LORD. I have revealed Born of Spirit and Water, Born Again by the Hand of the LORD. If you can show me scripture to enlighten me or prove me wrong, do so.

Look,
“God created the heaven and the earth”
“creature that hath life”
“living creature after his kind”
“cattle, and creeping thing, and beast of the earth after his kind”
“man in our image, after our likeness”
“God created man in his own image, in the image of God created he him”

Now look
“Lord God, heavens and of the earth when they were created made the earth and the heavens”
“the Lord God had not caused it to rain upon the earth”
“there was not a man to till the ground.”
“there went up a mist from the earth”
“watered the whole face of the ground”
“Lord God formed man of the dust of the ground”
“breathed into his nostrils the breath of life”
“man became a living soul”

“out of the ground the Lord God formed every beast of the field”
“whatsoever Adam called every living creature, that was the name thereof.
“the serpent was more subtil than any beast of the field”
“Adam called his wife's name Eve”
“because she was the mother of all living”
“Adam also and to his wife did the Lord God make coats of skins”

This is the book of the generations of Adam. In the day that God created man, in the likeness of God made he him;
Male and female created he them; and blessed them, and called their name Adam, in the day when they were created.
And Adam lived an hundred and thirty years, and begat a son in his own likeness, after his image; and called his name Seth:

Look
“creature that hath life”
“man in our image, after our likeness”
“begat a son in his own likeness, after his image; and called his name Seth:”

Correct me if I am wrong, is it not written that the seed of Seth would be destroyed. “creature that hath life” Do you see that Eve is the serpent., the living creature.

Look
And they were both naked, the man and his wife, and were not ashamed.

And the eyes of them both were opened, and they knew that they were naked; and they sewed fig leaves together, and made themselves aprons.

Adam also and to his wife did the Lord God make coats of skins

The LORD formed man from the dust which was from the midst that went up and the rain that came down. It is not written anywhere that the LORD made man in his likeness or image. The LORD formed man with his Hand. The seed of him the LORD blesses, naked, the man and his wife, and were not ashamed” and creates in the womb. The LORD gave the Jews the breath, heart, and soul. Israel is the children of the LORD, they are naked. “that thy nakedness be not discovered thereon.” These are also the seed of the LORD, female “And God said, Behold, I have given you” “The woman whom thou gavest to be with me, she gave me of the tree, and I did eat.” Aaron “they sewed fig leaves together, and made themselves aprons.” “shalt anoint them, and consecrate them, and sanctify them, that they may minister unto me in the priest's office.” “thou shalt make them linen breeches to cover their nakedness”
These are the words of Job, “Naked came I out of my mother's womb, and naked shall I return thither: the Lord gave, and the Lord hath taken away; blessed be the name of the Lord.”
Rabbi said “which reminds me that every human being is an Image of God” they are not human, they are creatures.
God created “man in our image, after our likeness” This is the “creature that hath life” “out of the ground the Lord God formed every beast of the field” “the serpent was more subtil than any beast of the field” “whatsoever Adam called every living creature, that was the name thereof.” “Adam called his wife's name Eve” “because she was the mother of all living” This is the “living creature”

Secret, there are two Adams

And for Aaron's sons thou shalt make coats, and thou shalt make for them girdles, and bonnets shalt thou make for them, for glory and for beauty.
And thou shalt put them upon Aaron thy brother, and his sons with him; and shalt anoint them, and consecrate them, and sanctify them, that they may minister unto me in the priest's office.
And thou shalt make them linen breeches to cover their nakedness; from the loins even unto the thighs they shall reach:

Look, do you see
“that thy nakedness be not discovered thereon.”
An altar of earth thou shalt make unto me, and shalt sacrifice thereon thy burnt offerings, and thy peace offerings, thy sheep, and thine oxen: in all places where I record my name I will come unto thee, and I will bless thee.
And if thou wilt make me an altar of stone, thou shalt not build it of hewn stone: for if thou lift up thy tool upon it, thou hast polluted it.
Neither shalt thou go up by steps unto mine altar, that thy nakedness be not discovered thereon.

“there went up a mist from the earth”
“watered the whole face of the ground”
“Lord God formed man of the dust of the ground”
“breathed into his nostrils the breath of life”
“man became a living soul”
“he will also bless the fruit of thy womb”
“the Lord thy God will circumcise thine heart, and the heart of thy seed”
“Lord thy God with all thine heart, and with all thy soul”

And he will love thee, and bless thee, and multiply thee: he will also bless the fruit of thy womb, and the fruit of thy land, thy corn, and thy wine, and thine oil, the increase of thy kine, and the flocks of thy sheep, in the land which he sware unto thy fathers to give thee.

And the Lord thy God will circumcise thine heart, and the heart of thy seed, to love the Lord thy God with all thine heart, and with all thy soul, that thou mayest live.

In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth.

“God created the heaven and the earth”

And God said, Let the waters bring forth abundantly the moving creature that hath life, and fowl that may fly above the earth in the open firmament of heaven.

“creature that hath life”

And God said, Let the earth bring forth the living creature after his kind, cattle, and creeping thing, and beast of the earth after his kind: and it was so.
And God made the beast of the earth after his kind, and cattle after their kind, and every thing that creepeth upon the earth after his kind: and God saw that it was good.

“living creature after his kind”
“cattle, and creeping thing, and beast of the earth after his kind”

And God said, Let us make man in our image, after our likeness:

“man in our image, after our likeness”

So God created man in his own image, in the image of God created he him; male and female created he them.

“God created man in his own image, in the image of God created he him”

These are the generations of the heavens and of the earth when they were created, in the day that the Lord God made the earth and the heavens,

“Lord God, heavens and of the earth when they were created made the earth and the heavens”

And every plant of the field before it was in the earth, and every herb of the field before it grew: for the Lord God had not caused it to rain upon the earth, and there was not a man to till the ground.
But there went up a mist from the earth, and watered the whole face of the ground.
And the Lord God formed man of the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living soul.
And the Lord God planted a garden eastward in Eden; and there he put the man whom he had formed.

“the Lord God had not caused it to rain upon the earth”
“there was not a man to till the ground.”
“there went up a mist from the earth”
“watered the whole face of the ground”
“Lord God formed man of the dust of the ground”
“breathed into his nostrils the breath of life”
“man became a living soul”

And out of the ground the Lord God formed every beast of the field, and every fowl of the air; and brought them unto Adam to see what he would call them: and whatsoever Adam called every living creature, that was the name thereof.

“out of the ground the Lord God formed every beast of the field”
“whatsoever Adam called every living creature, that was the name thereof.
“
Now the serpent was more subtil than any beast of the field which the Lord God had made.

“the serpent was more subtil than any beast of the field”

And Adam called his wife's name Eve; because she was the mother of all living.
Unto Adam also and to his wife did the Lord God make coats of skins, and clothed them.

“Adam called his wife's name Eve”
“because she was the mother of all living”
“Adam also and to his wife did the Lord God make coats of skins”

And they were both naked, the man and his wife, and were not ashamed.
And the eyes of them both were opened, and they knew that they were naked; and they sewed fig leaves together, and made themselves aprons.
Adam also and to his wife did the Lord God make coats of skins

Posted by: harold | May 23, 2008 10:50 PM
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Irwin Kula

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