I call Heaven and Earth to witness that, whether it be a Jew or a heathen,
whether it be a man or a woman, a manservant or a maidservant, the Holy Spirit will suffuse each of them
in keeping with the deeds he [or she] performs
”»- Tanna debe Eliyahu, edited by Friedmann, Page 48
Scripture is a book of parables and moral paradigms
Hebrew Hebrew Scripture is a book of parables, as well as moral Paradigms. As is written: “Son of man, put
forth a riddle, and speak a parable unto the house of Israel… And utter a parable unto the rebellious house,
and say unto them, Thus saith the Lord God; Set on a pot, set it on, and also pour water into it… And he took
up his parable, and said, Alas, who shall live when God doeth this!… I have also spoken by the prophets, and
I have multiplied visions, and used similitudes, by the ministry of the prophets”- Ezekiel 17:2, Ezekiel 24:3,
Numbers 24:23, & Hosea 12:10 (King James Bible).
Thus, each geographical location, each nation, each story, each rite, each name, and each character contained
within Scripture is meant to be understood either as an allegorical representation of some eternal truth; or as a
moral paradigm aimed at guiding us into the path of righteousness.
Consider the following example: God Law states that, among the animals, only the cow, the goat, the sheep,
and the dove were fit for Temple offerings. Which allegorical truth is Scripture trying to convey with this?
Well, each of the former animals can be domesticated [therefore living in peace with humans]. In addition,
none of them is a predator. Thus, Scripture hints at the fact that God isn’t pleased with those who cannot live
in peace with their neighbors; nor those who “prey” upon those who are weak or feeble.
And that’s the reason why, though God is “the King” of the World, and the lion is “the king” of the beast, the
latter couldn’t be offered to God in sacrifice [as God isn’t pleased with those who, like the lion, prey upon
their weaker fellow].
Another example: Torah declares the swine to be impure. Why? Because, in order to be ritually pure, an
animal must not only have a split hoof [an external requirement] but also chew the cud [an internal
requirement]. Yet, though having a split hoof, the swine doesn’t chew the cud.
What moral teaching is Torah trying to teach with this paradigm? It hints at the idea that God isn’t pleased
with he whose purity is only external [the man who is ritually observant], while his heart remains impure
[tainted with stubbornness, greed, deception, pride, and immorality].
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