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Author Bio:
Rabbi Marc Gellman began his studies in 1969 at the University of Wisconsin, and went on to attend the Hebrew Union College-Jewish Institute of ...
Read more about By Rabbi Marc Gellman, Tribune Media Services.
A Bible Lesson: There's Murder and There's Self-Defense
By Rabbi Marc Gellman, Tribune Media Services
Q: I recently attended Mass with my family. When we got home, our
teenage son asked a question concerning the reading that morning from
Exodus that I couldn't answer: If God says, "Thou shall not kill," why
did God kill the Egyptians?
We've been trying to instill in our children the sanctity of all human life, and often refer to our faith to illustrate this concept. I know you've worked with clever teenagers such as mine, and I'm sure this question is posed more to illustrate some fault in this whole 'religion thing' than any solemn soul-searching. However, I've learned much from this youngest child of mine, and I hope with your help I'll learn more. - B., via godsquadquestion@aol.com
A: I love clever kids, having been one myself a few years ago. Actually, your son's question is easy to answer and is often misunderstood by people of all faiths who happen to read the Ten Commandments. Your son just got the commandment wrong. He thinks it reads, "Thou shalt not kill." The actual translation is, "Thou shalt not murder."
Obviously, murder and killing are different words and different concepts. Killing is taking the life of a living being. Murder is unjustified killing of a human being. The Hebrew word is ratzach, which means murder, and that's the word used in the commandment. The Hebrew word for killing is harag.
If killing is forbidden, then your son would indeed be right that the killing of the Egyptians was a violation by God of God's own commandment (as would be killing animals for food). However, killing people who are enslaving you, pursuing you and trying to kill you is an act of self-defense; killing, yes, but murder, no.
By the way, the commandment where murder is proscribed is commandment 6 according to the counting of the Ten Commandments in the Jewish, and Reformed, Anglican and Greek Orthodox traditions. It is commandment 5, according to the counting of the commandments in the Roman Catholic and Lutheran traditions (they catch up to 10 by splitting the last commandment on coveting into two commandments: one prohibiting coveting your neighbor's house, and a second prohibiting coveting everything else of your neighbor's).
Q: My son (raised Catholic) and his wife (not religious) agreed when they were married that their children would be raised Catholic. Both their boys were baptized. They're now 6 and 4, but I've seen no sign of any religious training going on. Should I say something -- and maybe risk going where I don't belong -- or mind my own business? I feel awful that there's no God in the boys' lives. Any suggestions? -- Anonymous, via godsquadquestion@aol.com
A: In general, I advise parents to stand back and let their children raise their grandchildren according to their own lights. I say this for two reasons: 1) They're not going to listen to you anyway, and 2) there are many different ways to raise kids who love God and love their faith.
However, a little nudge is OK to try to get your grandchildren launched as Catholics. Ask your son and daughter-in-law to bring the grandkids and join you at church on Sunday. If they say no, ask to take the boys yourself. If they say no again, ask for this as your birthday present. Offer to sponsor the boys' first communion. If your church has adult education or parenting classes, ask your son and his wife to join you.
Beyond these invitations (which should all be followed by a meal in your son and his wife's favorite restaurant), there's little you can do but wait and hope that some day these kids will come home from school and ask their parents, "Mary in my class is Catholic, and David is Jewish, but what am I?" My hope and prayer is that your children will not be able to survive that question and will seek spiritual roots for their family.
Q: Recently, my in-laws' health started to decline -- memory loss, hearing loss, etc. My mother-in-law fell and broke her arm and is now in rehab. It was suggested that both of them move to an assisted living facility.
My father-in-law is 90 and my mother-in-law is 87. Their health was previously excellent and they enjoyed an active lifestyle. This sudden change is upsetting and confusing for them. My husband, his brother and sister are trying to make the right decision for their parents. My husband flew up to help out, while I remained at home. He said he'd be there about two weeks, which I feel is too long.
My husband was very helpful when my folks passed away. Mom was in a nursing home -- a placement that was hard to make but right for us. I really can't justify my feelings of being left out! Any advice? -- L., Florida via godsquadquestion@aol.com
A: My advice for you is to think more about the welfare of your in-laws than your own feelings of resentment. If you're feeling left out, why not hop on a plane to be with your husband? You could remain respectfully distant from the decision-making.
The spiritual element of your question is how we can fulfill the commandment to honor our father and mother while at the same time recognizing our limits in becoming their caregivers. The key is to recognize what's best for your in-laws. If the best choice (let's say it's for them to live with you) is impossible because you work or because their needs are greater than your strength, seek the second-best choice, knowing it's the best you can do. That honors them and honors your limits at the same time.
(Send QUESTIONS ONLY to The God Squad, c/o Tribune Media Services, 2225 Kenmore Ave., Suite 114, Buffalo, NY 14207, or email them to godsquadquestion@aol.com.
(c) 2009 THE GOD SQUAD DISTRIBUTED BY TRIBUNE MEDIA SERVICES, INC.
This news arrived on: 08/27/2009
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Posted Comments:
09-09-2009 16:42
Hey Dominik wrote:
re Matt 23
dominik wrote: 09-07-2009 10:08 ="In Matt 23:8... to whom the verse was intended for? Does Christ have to say... HEY PREACHERS, follow this instruction..."
If the shoe were on the other foot and you were asking me something like that you would require it of me! You are asking us to believe something that is NOT said of the original audience in Matt 23:1.
dominik wrote: 09-07-2009 10:08 ="And if you are a preacher... you can discern whom Christ is addressing to"
Not according to you Dom, because false preachers are, by definition, OUTSIDERS to your group and outsiders CANNOT properly discern the teachings of Christ, that is, according to you and your preacher. So according to your own teachings Christ could not be not speaking to any “pretending preachers”. At least, not according to God’s word in Matt 23. You went WAY BEYOND God’s word there. As you are so fond of quoting Prov 30:6 “Do not add to His words Or He will reprove you, and you will be proved a liar.” Well, God said it, I don’t need to, all I can do is agree and say “Amen”.
I am praying that God opens your eyes about the group you are following so blindly.
PS about the church to which I belong, I told you already. Telling you AGAIN would make a difference?
If the shoe were on the other foot and you were asking me something like that you would require it of me! You are asking us to believe something that is NOT said of the original audience in Matt 23:1.
dominik wrote: 09-07-2009 10:08 ="And if you are a preacher... you can discern whom Christ is addressing to"
Not according to you Dom, because false preachers are, by definition, OUTSIDERS to your group and outsiders CANNOT properly discern the teachings of Christ, that is, according to you and your preacher. So according to your own teachings Christ could not be not speaking to any “pretending preachers”. At least, not according to God’s word in Matt 23. You went WAY BEYOND God’s word there. As you are so fond of quoting Prov 30:6 “Do not add to His words Or He will reprove you, and you will be proved a liar.” Well, God said it, I don’t need to, all I can do is agree and say “Amen”.
I am praying that God opens your eyes about the group you are following so blindly.
PS about the church to which I belong, I told you already. Telling you AGAIN would make a difference?
09-07-2009 10:08
dominik wrote:
Hey:
In Matt 23:8... to whom the verse was intended for? Does Christ have to say... HEY PREACHERS, follow this instruction...
And if you are a preacher... you can discern whom Christ is addressing to.
Why, are you not an OUTSIDER? Tell me your Church name... to prove my point...
Yes, preachers before Bro Eli and present time can claim that they know the teachings of Christ...
But testing them proves that they are not. Remember.. there false preachers in our midst... and Bro Eli could be one of them... the same way with your preacher... so how can we discern? Test their spirit if they are of God.
One of the questions to be asked to determine if they are really followers of Christ is:
(To all churches existing of diff names.)
IS THAT THE NAME OF THE CHURCH BUILT BY CHRIST IN THE BIBLE.
This question alone is enough to determine if they are not of GOD.
My question again, HEY... What is the name of the CHurch you joined?
Good day.
In Matt 23:8... to whom the verse was intended for? Does Christ have to say... HEY PREACHERS, follow this instruction...
And if you are a preacher... you can discern whom Christ is addressing to.
Why, are you not an OUTSIDER? Tell me your Church name... to prove my point...
Yes, preachers before Bro Eli and present time can claim that they know the teachings of Christ...
But testing them proves that they are not. Remember.. there false preachers in our midst... and Bro Eli could be one of them... the same way with your preacher... so how can we discern? Test their spirit if they are of God.
One of the questions to be asked to determine if they are really followers of Christ is:
(To all churches existing of diff names.)
IS THAT THE NAME OF THE CHURCH BUILT BY CHRIST IN THE BIBLE.
This question alone is enough to determine if they are not of GOD.
My question again, HEY... What is the name of the CHurch you joined?
Good day.
09-02-2009 13:41
dominik wrote:
HEY...
Of course there are other audience at that time... But who was Christ warning at that time? Aren't the preachers?
The verse is very clear to whom Christ is giving the warning.
Are ALL the people present during that time. preachers?
If your are one of the audience there... and you hear Christ's warning... will you tell yourself " Oh my, Christ is warning me" when you knew very well that you are not a preacher.
Learn how to discern the word of Christ, HEY...
But what do I expect... you are an OUTSIDER... how will you understand Christ.
Join the Church of God in the Bible, HEY... so you can communicate properly with God. Be part of His flock first. Make the first move.
If its NOT the Church we are in... it is still the CHURCH OF GOD in the Bible that you should join... coz that's the church written IN THE Bible. Nobody can deny that. Its the fact of the Bible.
And if you are a member of Church of differENt name... DEFINITELY.. you are in the wrong group.
GOOD DAY.
(John 10:16)
Of course there are other audience at that time... But who was Christ warning at that time? Aren't the preachers?
The verse is very clear to whom Christ is giving the warning.
Are ALL the people present during that time. preachers?
If your are one of the audience there... and you hear Christ's warning... will you tell yourself " Oh my, Christ is warning me" when you knew very well that you are not a preacher.
Learn how to discern the word of Christ, HEY...
But what do I expect... you are an OUTSIDER... how will you understand Christ.
Join the Church of God in the Bible, HEY... so you can communicate properly with God. Be part of His flock first. Make the first move.
If its NOT the Church we are in... it is still the CHURCH OF GOD in the Bible that you should join... coz that's the church written IN THE Bible. Nobody can deny that. Its the fact of the Bible.
And if you are a member of Church of differENt name... DEFINITELY.. you are in the wrong group.
GOOD DAY.
(John 10:16)
08-31-2009 14:01
P wrote:
Thank you Dominik
--- for showing up and showing your true colors so well. I didn't say i was going to stop you, just warning people about your hate and hateful teachings. There are Christians who don't think or hate Jewish people or their Rabbis. The poster who goes by the handle of "Hey Dominik" answered your Matthew 23:8 passage, quite well from my perspective. Since I am Jewish I don't care anything about your New Testament. Besides I know that if you could you and your church and its pastor would like to do what Hitler and the Nazis did to my people in WW2 and the Islamists are trying to do today. Maybe you're just a wolf in sheep's clothing. Your sheep's clothing is not fitting very well.
I am Jewish and I am not going away from this site.
I am Jewish and I am not going away from this site.
08-31-2009 13:43
P wrote:
thank you Dominik
--- for showing up and showing your true colors so well. I didn't say i was going to stop you, just warning people about your hate and hateful teachings. There are Christians who don't think or hate Jewish people or their Rabbis. The one who goes by the name of Hey Dominik answered your Matthew 23:8 passage, quite well from my perspective. Besides I know that if you could you and your church and its pastor would like to do what Hitler and the Nazis did to my people in WW2 and the Islamists are trying to do today.
I am not going away from this site either.
By the Bye, who said I was a male?
I am not going away from this site either.
By the Bye, who said I was a male?
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