0 EJAT: Holy Things and Holy Days

    4. Holy Things and Holy Days

    The chapter provides detailed instructions for building altars, sanctuaries, and tabernacles. My favorite is #185: Don't go up steps to the altar because someone might see your nakedness. (Stairs are a problem!)

    The rules for sabbaths and religious festivals are listed. It even tells you when to blow a trumpet.

    Don't pollute the holy things, profane them while you're eating them, eat them by mistake, or approach them when your uncleanness is upon you.

    If you need to get clean after touching a dead body, bone, grave, unclean person, or water of separation, then the Red Cow section is for you.

    The congregation of the Lord is not open to everyone. You can't enter it if you have damaged testicles, are a bastard, or have a bastard in your family history within the last ten generations.

    Finally, there are the rules on tithing. If you follow them correctly, you can get whatever your soul lusts after. Just be sure to remember the Levites, and be a cheerful giver.


    Altars, sanctuaries, and tabernacles
    Calendar and feast days
    The Feast of Unleavened Bread
    The Passover
    Unclean Passover
    The Sabbath
    The New Moon
    The Seventh Month
    Fifty Days
    The Feast of Tabernacles
    The Jubilee Year
    Trumpets
    The Song of Moses
    Holy Things
    The Red Cow
    The Congregation of the Lord
    Tithing

    (Numbered P and N links are to the positive and negative commandments on Maimonides's list.)

    Altars, sanctuaries, and tabernacles

    1. Make a dirt altar for God and sacrifice animals on it.

      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. Exodus 20:24

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    2. If you make God stone altars, use natural, uncut stones.

      (Otherwise you'll pollute it.)

      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. Exodus 20:25

      Maimonides

      N79: Don't build an altar of stones which have been touched by iron - Ex 20:22

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    3. Don't go up steps to the altar.

      (People might see your nakedness.)
      Neither shalt thou go up by steps unto mine altar, that thy nakedness be not discovered thereon. Exodus 20:26

      Maimonides

      N80: Don't ascend the altar by steps - Ex 20:26
      Punishment: Whipping

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    4. Make a sanctuary for God.

      (So he'll have a place to live.)

      Here are the instructions.

      Make it out of shittim wood. Two and a half cubits long, a cubit and a half wide, and a cubit and a half high.

      And let them make me a sanctuary that I may dwell among them.According to all that I shew thee, after the pattern of the tabernacle, and the pattern of all the instruments thereof, even so shall ye make it. And they shall make an ark of shittim wood: two cubits and a half shall bethe length thereof, and a cubit and a half the breadth thereof, and a cubit and a half the height thereof. Exodus 25:8-10
      Overlay it with pure gold, with a crown of gold around it.
      And thou shalt overlay it with pure gold, within and without shalt thou overlay it, and shalt make upon it a crown of gold round about. Exodus 25:11
      Put four gold rings in the corner and two rings on each side.
      And thou shalt cast four rings of gold for it, and put them in the four corners thereof and two rings shall be in the one side of it, and two rings in the other side of it. Exodus 25:12
      Make some poles out of shittim wood and overlay them with gold.
      And thou shalt make staves of shittim wood, and overlay them with gold. Exodus 25:13
      Insert the poles into the rings so you can carry the ark around.
      And thou shalt put the staves into the rings by the sides of the ark, that the ark may be borne with them. Exodus 25:14
      Put God's testimony in the ark.
      And thou shalt put into the ark the testimony which I shall give thee. Exodus 25:16
      Make a mercy seat out of pure gold, two and a half cubits long and a cubit and a half wide.
      And thou shalt make a mercy seat of pure gold: two cubits and a half shall be the length thereof, and a cubit and a half the breadth thereof. Exodus 25:17
      Make two cherubim out of beaten gold and place them at the ends of the mercy seat. The wings of the cherubim must point upwards, covering the mercy seat, and their faces must look at one another.
      And thou shalt make two cherubims of gold, of beaten work shalt thou make them, in the two ends of the mercy seat. And make one cherub on the one end, and the other cherub on the other end: even of the mercy seat shall ye make the cherubims on the two ends thereof. And the cherubims shall stretch forth their wings on high, covering the mercy seat with their wings, and their faces shall look one to another toward the mercy seat shall the faces of the cherubims be. Exodus 25:18-20
      Put the mercy seat on top of the ark. God will talk to you, listing all of his commandments while sitting on the mercy seat between the cherubim.
      And thou shalt put the mercy seat above upon the ark and in the ark thou shalt put the testimony that I shall give thee. And there I will meet with thee, and I will commune with thee from above the mercy seat, from between the two cherubims which are upon the ark of the testimony, of all things which I will give thee in commandment unto the children of Israel. Exodus 25:21-22
      Make a table out of shittim wood, Two cubits long, one cubit wide, and a cubit and a half tall.
      Thou shalt also make a table of shittim wood: two cubits shall be the length thereof, and a cubit the breadth thereof, and a cubit and a half the height thereof. Exodus 25:23
      Overlay the table with pure gold, with a gold crown around it, and a gold border one hand wide.
      And thou shalt overlay it with pure gold, and make thereto a crown of gold round about. And thou shalt make unto it a border of an hand breadth round about, and thou shalt make a golden crown to the border thereof round about. Exodus 25:24-25
      Make four gold rings for the table's feet.
      And thou shalt make for it four rings of gold, and put the rings in the four corners that are on the four feet thereof. Over against the border shall the rings be for places of the staves to bear the table. Exodus 25:26-27
      Make four more poles out of shittim wood, overlay them with gold, and insert them into the gold rings on the table's feet. These poles will be used to carry the table around.
      And thou shalt make the staves of shittim wood, and overlay them with gold, that the table may be borne with them. Exodus 25:28
      Make some gold dishes, spoons, covers, and bowls.
      And thou shalt make the dishes thereof, and spoons thereof, and covers thereof, and bowls thereof, to cover withal: of pure gold shalt thou make them. Exodus 25:29
      Make a golden candlestick with six branches, three on each side. Each branch must have three lamp cups shaped like almond blossoms, with buds and petals. The center of the candlestick must have four almond-shaped bowls, with buds and flowers. Under each pair of branches there shall be an identical golden cup.
      And thou shalt make a candlestick of pure gold: of beaten work shall the candlestick be made: his shaft, and his branches, his bowls, his knops, and his flowers, shall be of the same. And six branches shall come out of the sides of it three branches of the candlestick out of the one side, and three branches of the candlestick out of the other side: Three bowls made like unto almonds,with a knop and a flower in one branch and three bowls made like almonds in the other branch, with a knop and a flower: so in the six branches that come out of the candlestick.And in the candlesticks shall be four bowls made like unto almonds, with their knops and their flowers. And there shall be a knop under two branches of the same, and a knop under two branches of the same, and a knop under two branches of the same, according to the sixbranches that proceed out of the candlestick. Their knops and their branches shall be of the same: all it shall be one beaten work of pure gold. Exodus 25:31-36
      Make seven lamps, with gold tongs and snuffers.
      And thou shalt make the seven lamps thereof: and they shall light the lamps thereof, that they may give light over against it. And the tongs thereof, and the snuffdishes thereof, shall be of pure gold. Exodus 25:37-38
      You'll need about a talent of gold (34 kilograms, ~1.4 million U.S. dollars) for this project.
      Of a talent of pure gold shall he make it, with all these vessels. Of a talent of pure gold shall he make it, with all these vessels.And look that thou make them after their pattern, which was shewed thee in the mount. Exodus 25:39-40

      Maimonides

      P20: Build a sanctuary - Ex 25:8

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    5. Don't remove the staves from the Ark.

      The staves shall be in the rings of the ark: they shall not be taken from it. Exodus 25:15

      Maimonides

      N86: Don't remove the staves from their rings in the ark - Ex 25:15
      Punishment: Whipping

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    6. Put some bread in front of God and let it remain there always.

      And thou shalt set upon the table shewbread before me alway. Exodus 25:30

      Maimonides

      P27: The showbread - Ex 25:30

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    7. Make a tabernacle according to the following instructions.

      Make ten blue, purple, and scarlet curtains out of finely woven linen. Cleverly embroider them with a few cherubim. Each curtain shall be 28 cubits long and 4 cubits wide. Make two big curtains from these, with 50 blue-colored loops on the top of each big curtain and 50 golden clasps to tie the curtains together.
      Thou shalt make the tabernacle with ten curtains of fine twined linen, and blue, and purple, and scarlet: with cherubims of cunning work shalt thou make them. The length of one curtain shall be eight and twenty cubits, and the breadth of one curtain four cubits: and every one of the curtains shall have one measure. The five curtains shall be coupled together one to another and other five curtains shall be coupled one to another. And thou shalt make loops of blue upon the edge of the one curtain from the selvedge in the coupling and likewise shalt thou make in the uttermost edge of another curtain, in the coupling of the second. Fifty loops shalt thou make in the one curtain, and fifty loops shalt thou make in the edge of the curtain that is in the coupling of the second that the loops may take hold one of another. And thou shalt make fifty taches of gold, and couple thecurtains together with the taches: and it shall be one tabernacle. Exodus 26:1-6
      Make eleven curtains out of goats' hair to cover the tabernacle. Each curtain shall be 30 cubits long and 4 cubits wide. Make two big curtains from these eleven by joining five and six curtains together. On the top of each curtain make 50 loops and 50 brass clasps to tie the curtains together. Let the excess half curtain hang over the sides of the tabernacle, one cubit or so on each side.
      And thou shalt make curtains of goats' hair to be a covering upon the tabernacle: eleven curtains shalt thou make. The length of one curtain shall be thirty cubits, and the breadth of one curtain four cubits: and the eleven curtainsshall be all of one measure. And thou shalt couple five curtains by themselves, and six curtains by themselves, and shalt double the sixth curtain in the forefront of the tabernacle. And thou shalt make fifty loops on the edge of the one curtain that is outmost in the coupling, and fifty loops in the edge of the curtain which coupleth the second. And thou shalt make fifty taches of brass, and put the taches into the loops, and couple the tent together, that it may be one. And the remnant that remaineth of the curtains of the tent, the half curtain that remaineth, shall hang over the backside of the tabernacle. And a cubit on the one side, and a cubit on the other side of that which remaineth in the length of the curtains ofthe tent, it shall hang over the sides of the tabernacle on this side and on that side, to cover it. Exodus 26:7-13
      Make a tent covering out of rams' skin dyed red, with a badger skin covering.
      And thou shalt make a covering for the tent of rams' skins dyed red, and a covering above of badgers' skins.Exodus 26:14
      Make tabernacle frames out of shittim wood, Ten cubits high and one and a half cubit wide, with two pegs under each frame. Make 20 identical frames for the south side of the tabernacle.
      And thou shalt make boards for the tabernacle of shittim wood standing up. Ten cubits shall be the length of a board, and a cubit and a half shall be the breadth of one board. Two tenons shall there be in one board, set inorder one against another: thus shalt thou make for all the boards of the tabernacle. And thou shalt make the boards for the tabernacle, twenty boards on the south side southward. Exodus 26:15-18
      Make 40 silver sockets for the frames, with the two frame pegs fitting into the sockets.
      And thou shalt make forty sockets of silver under the twenty boards two sockets under one board for his two tenons, and two sockets under another board for his two tenons. Exodus 26:19
      Make another 20 frames and 40 sockets for the north wall.
      And for the second side of the tabernacle on the north side there shall be twentyboards: And their forty sockets of silver two sockets under one board, and two sockets under another board. Exodus 26:20-21
      Make six frames for the west wall, with two additional boards for the corners, along with 16 sockets, as described above.
      And for the sides of the tabernacle westward thou shalt make six boards. And two boards shalt thou make for the corners of the tabernacle in the two sides. And they shall be coupled together beneath, and they shall be coupled together above the head of it unto one ring: thus shall it be for them both they shallbe for the two corners. And they shall be eight boards, and their sockets of silver, sixteen sockets two sockets under one board, and two sockets under another board. Exodus 26:22-25
      Make five gold-covered shittim wood bars for each side of the tabernacle. The middle bar will pass through halfway up the frames.
      And thou shalt make bars of shittim wood five for the boards of the one side of the tabernacle, And fivebars for the boards of the other side of the tabernacle, and five bars for the boards of the side of the tabernacle, for the two sides westward. And the middle bar in the midst of the boards shall reach from end to end. Exodus 26:26-28
      Erect the tabernacle according to the instructions God gave to Moses on Mt. Sinai.
      And thou shalt overlay the boards with gold, andmake their rings of gold for places for the bars: and thou shalt overlay the bars with gold. And thou shalt rear up the tabernacleaccording to the fashion thereof which was shewed thee in the mount. Exodus 26:28-29
      Make a veil out of blue, purple, and scarlet yarn, cleverly embroidered with cherubim. Hang it on four pillars of gold-covered shittim wood, with gold hooks and silver bases.
      And thou shalt make a vail of blue, and purple, and scarlet, and fine twined linen of cunning work: with cherubims shall it be made: And thou shalt hang it upon four pillars of shittim wood overlaid with gold: their hooks shall be of gold, upon the four sockets of silver. Exodus 26:31-32
      Put the ark of the covenant inside with the veil separating the holy place from the most holy place.
      And thou shalt hang up the vail under the taches, that thou mayest bring in thither within the vail the ark of the testimony: and the vail shall divide unto you between the holy place and the most holy. Exodus 26:33
      Put the mercy seat on the ark of the covenant in the most holy place.
      And thou shalt put the mercy seat upon the ark of the testimony in the most holy place. Exodus 26:34
      Set the table outside the veil on the north side of the tabernacle, with the candlestand on the south side.
      And thou shalt set the table without the vail, and the candlestick over against the table on the side of the tabernacle toward the south: and thou shalt put the table on the north side. Exodus 26:35
      Make another embroidered curtain out of blue, purple, and scarlet yarns and place it over the door of the tent.
      And thou shalt make an hanging for the door of the tent, of blue, and purple, and scarlet, and fine twined linen, wrought with needlework. Exodus 26:36
      Make five pillars out of shittim wood, covered with gold, with five gold hooks and five brass sockets.
      And thou shalt make for the hanging five pillars of shittim wood, and overlay them with gold, and their hooks shall be of gold: and thou shalt cast five sockets of brass for them. Exodus 26:37
      .

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    8. Make a court for the tabernacle.

      Make 100 cubit-long curtain out of finely-woven linen for the south side of the court.
      And thou shalt make the court of the tabernacle: for the south side southward there shall be hangings for the court of fine twined linen of an hundred cubits long for one side. Exodus 27:9
      Make 20 pillars with 20 brass sockets and silver hooks. Do the same for the north side of the court.
      And the twenty pillars thereof and their twenty sockets shall be of brass the hooks of the pillars and their fillets shall be of silver.And likewise for the north side in length there shall be hangings of an hundred cubits long, and his twenty pillars and their twenty sockets of brass the hooks of the pillars and their fillets of silver. Exodus 27:10-11
      Make a 50 cubit long curtain for the west side, with 10 pillars and 10 brass sockets and silver hooks.
      And for the breadth of the court on the west side shall be hangings of fifty cubits: their pillars ten, and their sockets ten. Exodus 27:12
      The length of the court on the east side shall also be 50 cubits, but the curtains shall only be 15 cubits long, with three pillars and sockets. The other side is made similarly.
      And the breadth of the court on the east side eastward shall be fifty cubits. The hangings of one side of the gate shall be fifteen cubits: their pillars three, and their sockets three. And on the other side shall be hangings fifteen cubits: their pillars three, and their sockets three. Exodus 27:13-15
      Make a gate on the east side of the court, with a 20 cubit-long embroidered, finely-woven curtain that is colored blue, purple, and scarlet.
      And for the gate of the court shall be an hanging of twenty cubits, of blue, and purple, and scarlet, and fine twined linen, wrought with needlework. Exodus 27:16a
      Make four pillars and sockets for the east gate. Put a band of silver around each pillar and make all the hooks out of silver and the sockets out of brass.
      And their pillars shall be four, and their sockets four. All the pillars round about the court shall be filleted with silver their hooks shall be of silver, and their sockets of brass. Exodus 27:16-17
      The entire length of the court shall be 100 cubits, 50 cubits wide and 5 cubits tall, with curtains made from finely-woven linen and the sockets made from brass.
      The length of the court shall be an hundred cubits, and the breadth fifty every where, and the height five cubits of fine twined linen, and their sockets of brass. Exodus 27:18
      All the vessels and pins shall be made out of brass.
      All the vessels of the tabernacle in all the service thereof, and all the pins thereof, and all the pins of the court, shall be of brass. Exodus 27:19

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    9. Get some oil for the lamp and keep it burning forever.

      And thou shalt command the children of Israel, that they bring thee pure oil olive beaten for the light, to cause the lamp to burn always. In the tabernacle of the congregation without the vail, which is before the testimony, Aaron and his sons shall order it from evening to morning before the LORD: it shall be a statute for ever unto their generations on the behalf of the children of Israel.Exodus 27:20-21

      And the LORD spake unto Moses, saying,Command the children of Israel, that they bring unto thee pure oil olive beaten for the light, to cause the lamps to burn continually.Without the vail of the testimony, in the tabernacle of the congregation, shall Aaron order it from the evening unto the morning before the LORD continually: it shall be a statute for ever in your generations.He shall order the lamps upon the pure candlestick before the LORD continually. Leviticus 24:1-4

      Maimonides

      P25: Priests must kindle the lamps - Ex 27:21

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    10. Make an altar for burning incense.

      Make an altar to burn incense out of shittim wood. Make it square in shape, 45 cm on a side, and 90 cm tall, with horns at each of the corners.
      And thou shalt make an altar to burn incense upon: of shittim wood shalt thou make it. A cubit shall be the length thereof, and a cubit the breadth thereof foursquare shall it be: and two cubits shall be the height thereof: the horns thereof shall be of the same. Exodus 30:1-2
      Cover the top, sides, and horns with gold.
      And thou shalt overlay it with pure gold, the top thereof, and the sides thereof round about, and the horns thereof. And thou shalt make unto it a crown of gold round about. Exodus 30:3
      Put golden rings in the corners so you can carry it around with gold-covered shittim wood poles.
      And two golden rings shalt thou make to it under the crown of it, by the two corners thereof, upon the two sides of it shalt thou make it and they shall be for places for the staves to bear it withal. Exodus 30:4
      Put this incense-burning altar in front of the curtain by the ark of the tabernacle, in front of the mercy seat that God sits on when he meets with you.
      And thou shalt make the staves of shittim wood, and overlay them with gold. And thou shalt put it before the vail that is by the ark of the testimony, before the mercy seat that is over the testimony, where I will meet with thee. Exodus 30:5-6

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    11. Burn sweet incense on the altar every morning and evening forever.

      And Aaron shall burn thereon sweet incense every morning: when he dresseth the lamps, he shall burn incense upon it. And when Aaron lighteth the lamps at even, he shall burn incense upon it, a perpetual incense before the LORD throughout your generations. Exodus 30:7-8

      Our fathers ... have not burned incense ... Wherefore the wrath of the LORD was upon Judah and Jerusalem, and he hath delivered them to trouble, to astonishment, and to hissing, as ye see with your eyes. 2 Chronicles 29:7-8

      My sons, be not now negligent: for the LORD hath chosen you to ... burn incense. 2 Chronicles 29:11

      Maimonides

      P28: Burn incense - Ex 30:7

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    12. Don't burn any strange incense on the incense-burning altar.

      Ye shall offer no strange incense thereon. Exodus 30:9a

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    13. Don't offer any burnt, meat, or drink offerings on God's special incense-burning altar.

      Ye shall offer no ...burnt sacrifice, nor meat offering neither shall ye pour drink offering thereon. Exodus 30:9b

      Maimonides

      N82: Don't offer any sacrifice whatever on the golden altar - Ex 30:9
      Punishment: Whipping

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    14. Revere God's sanctuary.

      Reverence my sanctuary. Leviticus 19:30, 26:2

      Maimonides

      P21: Revere the sanctuary - Lev 19:30

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    15. If you're not a Levite, stay away from the tabernacle or you will bear sin and die.

      Neither must the children of Israel henceforth come nigh the tabernacle of the congregation, lest they bear sin, and die.Numbers 18:22

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    16. Don't plant trees near God's altar.

      Thou shalt not plant thee a grove of any trees near unto the altar of the LORD thy God. Deuteronomy 16:21

      Maimonides

      N13: Don't plant trees in the sanctuary - Dt 16:21
      Punishment: Whipping

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    17. Sanctify the house of the Lord.

      Sanctify the house of the LORD God of your fathers. 2 Chronicles 29:5

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    18. Don't turn away your face (or back) from the habitation of the Lord.

      Our fathers have ... turned away their faces from the habitation of the LORD, and turned their backs. ... Wherefore the wrath of the LORD was upon Judah and Jerusalem, and he hath delivered them to trouble, to astonishment, and to hissing, as ye see with your eyes. 2 Chronicles 29:6-8

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    19. Enter the Lord's sanctuary.

      Enter into his sanctuary, which he hath sanctified for ever ... that the fierceness of his wrath may turn away from you. 2 Chronicles 30:8

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    20. Lift up your hands in the sanctuary.

      Lift up your hands in the sanctuary. Psalm 134:2

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    21. When you go to the house of God, be more ready to hear than to give the evil sacrifice of fools.

      Keep thy foot when thou goest to the house of God, and be more ready to hear, than to give the sacrifice of fools: for they consider not that they do evil. Ecclesiastes 5:1

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    22. Don't open the gate.

      (Because God entered through it, and the prince will someday sit in it while eating bread in front of God.)
      Then said the LORD unto me This gate shall be shut, it shall not be opened, and no man shall enter in by it because the LORD, the God of Israel, hath entered in by it, therefore it shall be shut.It is for the prince the prince, he shall sit in it to eat bread before the LORD he shall enter by the way of the porch of that gate, and shall go out by the way of the same. Ezekiel 44:2-3

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    23. Don't bring any strangers or people with uncircumcised hearts or flesh to God's sanctuary when offering him fat and blood.

      (They have broken God's covenant because of all your abominations.)
      ye have brought into my sanctuary strangers, uncircumcised in heart, and uncircumcised in flesh, to be in my sanctuary, to pollute it, even my house, when ye offer my bread, the fat and the blood, and they have broken my covenant because of all your abominations. Ezekiel 44:7

      No stranger, uncircumcised in heart, nor uncircumcised in flesh, shall enter into my sanctuary. Ezekiel 44:9

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    Calendar and Feast Days

    1. The month of Nisan shall the be first month of the year.

      This month [Nisan] shall be unto you the beginning of months: it shall be the first month of the year to you. Exodus 12:2

      Maimonides

      P153: Determine the new moon - Ex 12:2

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    2. Celebrate three feasts during the year: unleavened bread, the first harvest, and the last harvest.

      Three times thou shalt keep a feast unto me in the year. Thou shalt keep the feast of unleavened bread ... And the feast of harvest, the firstfruits of thy labours, which thou hast sown in the field: and the feast of ingathering, which is in the end of the year, when thou hast gathered in thy labours out of the field. Exodus 23:14-16

      The feast of unleavened bread shalt thou keep. Seven days thou shalt eat unleavened bread, as I commanded thee, in the time of the month Abib. ... Thou shalt observe the feast of weeks, of the firstfruits of wheat harvest, and the feast of ingathering at the year's end. Exodus 34:18 - 22

      Observe the month of Abib, and keep the passover unto the Lord thy God ... And thou shalt keep the feast of weeks ... Thou shalt observe the feast of tabernacles seven days, after that thou hast gathered in thy corn and thy wine. Deuteronomy 16:1-13

      Maimonides

      P52: Three annual pilgimage festivals - Ex 23:14

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    3. Three times a year every male must appear before God.

      God will tell you where to meet. But don't bring any females. God never wants to meet with them!
      Three items in the year all thy males shall appear before the LORD God. Exodus 23:17

      Thrice in the year shall all your menchildren appear before the LORD God, the God of Israel. Exodus 34:23

      Three times in a year shall all thy males appear before the LORD thy God in the place which he shall choose in the feast of unleavened bread, and in the feast of weeks, and in the feast of tabernacles. Deuteronomy 16:16

      Maimonides

      P53: Appear before the Lord during the festivals - Dt 16:16

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    4. Males must bring God gifts when they meet with him three times a year.

      ("They shall not appear before the Lord empty.")
      Three times in a year shall all thy males appear before the LORD thy God in the place which he shall choose in the feast of unleavened bread, and in the feast of weeks, and in the feast of tabernacles: and they shall not appear before the LORD empty: Every man shall give as he is able, according to the blessing of the LORD thy God which he hath given thee. Deuteronomy 16:16-17

      Maimonides

      N156: Don't appear on a festival without a sacrifice - Dt 16:16

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    5. Don't let anyone tell you how to celebrate holy days.

      Let no man therefore judge you ... in respect of an holyday. Colossians 2:16

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    The Feast of Unleavened Bread

    1. The fourteenth day of the month of Nisan shall forever be a memorial and feast.

      (See here for details about the animal sacrifices that you must do on this day.)
      This day [the 14th day of Nisan] shall be unto you for a memorial and ye shall keep it a feast to the Lord throughout your generations ye shall keep it a feast by an ordinance for ever. Exodus 12:14

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    2. Don't work on the first day of the feast of unleavened bread.

      In the first day there shall be an holy convocation ... no manner of work shall be done in them, save that which every man must eat, that only may be done of you. Exodus 12:16a

      In the first day ye shall have an holy convocation: ye shall do no servile work therein. Leviticus 23:7

      In the first day shall be an holy convocation ye shall do no manner of servile work therein. Numbers 28:18

      Maimonides

      P159: Rest on the first day of Pesach (Passover) - Lev 23:7
      N323: Don't work on the first day of Pesach - Ex 12:16

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    3. Don't work on the seventh day of the feast of unleavened bread.

      In the seventh day there shall be an holy convocation to you no manner of work shall be done in them, save that which every man must eat, that only may be done of you. Exodus 12:16b

      In the seventh day is an holy convocation: ye shall do no servile work therein. Leviticus 23:8

      And on the seventh day ... ye shall do no servile work. Numbers 28:25

      Maimonides

      P160: Rest on the seventh day of Pesach (Passover) - Lev 23:8
      N324: Don't work on the seventh day of Pesach - Ex 12:16, Lev 23:8

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    4. Observe the feast of unleavened bread.

      And ye shall observe the feast of unleavened bread for in this selfsame day have I brought your armies out of the land of Egypt: therefore shall ye observe this day in your generations by an ordinance for ever. Exodus 12:17

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    5. Eat unleavened bread for six days.

      Six days thou shalt eat unleavened bread. Deuteronomy 16:8

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    6. Eat unleavened bread for seven days.

      Seven days shall ye eat unleavened bread. Exodus 12:15

      Seven days thou shalt eat unleavened bread ... Unleavened bread shall be eaten seven days. Exodus 13:6-7

      Thou shalt eat unleavened bread seven days, as I commanded thee. Exodus 23:15

      Seven days ye must eat unleavened bread. Leviticus 23:6

      Seven days shalt thou eat unleavened bread therewith, even the bread of affliction. Deuteronomy 16:3

      Maimonides

      N197: Don't eatchametz (leavened bread) during Pesach (Passover) - Ex. 13:7
      Punishment: Death
      N198: Don't eat anything containing chametz during Pesach -Ex. 12:20
      Punishment: Whipping for eating an olive-sized piece of chametz
      N199: Don't eat chametz after the middle of the 14th of Nisan - Dt 16:3
      Punishment: Whipping

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    7. Eat unleavened bread from the evening of the 14th until the evening of the 21st of Nisan.

      In the first month, on the fourteenth day of the month at even, ye shall eat unleavened bread, until the one and twentieth day of the month at even. Exodus 12:18

      Maimonides

      P158: Eat unleavened bread on the eve of the 15th day of Nisan - Ex 12:18

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    8. During the feast of unleavened bread, remove all yeast from every house.

      The first day [of the feast of unleavened bread] ye shall put away leaven out of your houses. Exodus 12:15b

      Seven days shall there be no leaven found in your houses. Exodus 12:19

      There shall no leavened bread be seen with thee, neither shall there be leaven seen with thee in all thy quarters. Exodus 13:7

      And there shall be no leavened bread seen with thee in all thy coast seven days. Deuteronomy 16:4

      Maimonides

      P156: Remove leaven - Ex 13:8
      N200: No chametz (leavened bread) may be seen in our homes during Pesach - Ex 13:7
      N201: Don't possess chametz during Pesach - Ex 12:19
      Punishment: Whipping

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    The Passover

    1. When your children ask what is the meaning of Passover, tell them about how God killed the Egyptian children.

      And it shall come to pass, when your children shall say unto you, What mean ye by this service?That ye shall say, It is the sacrifice of the Lord's passover, who passed over the houses of the children of Israel in Egypt, when he smote the Egyptians, and delivered our houses. Exodus 12:26-27

      (See Exodus 12:27-41 for the exact words that God commands you to say to your kids.)

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    2. Strangers shall not eat the Passover meal.

      And the LORD said unto Moses and Aaron, This is the ordinance of the passover: There shall no stranger eat thereof. Exodus 12:43

      Maimonides

      N128: An apostate Israelite must not eat the Passover offering - Ex 12:43

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    3. Foreigners shall not eat the Passover meal.

      And the LORD said unto Moses and Aaron, This is the ordinance of the passover: ... A foreigner ... shall not eat thereof. Exodus 12:43-45

      Maimonides

      N126: Don't allow a ger toshav (resident alien) to eat the Passover offering - Ex 12:45

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    4. Hired servants shall not eat the Passover meal.

      And the LORD said unto Moses and Aaron, This is the ordinance of the passover: ... an hired servant shall not eat thereof. Exodus 12:43-45

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    5. No uncircumcised person shall eat the Passover meal.

      And the LORD said unto Moses and Aaron, This is the ordinance of the passover: ... no uncircumcised person shall eat thereof. Exodus 12:43-48

      Maimonides

      N127: An uncircumcised person may not eat the Pesach offering - Ex 12:48

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    6. Circumcised strangers must keep the Passover.

      When a stranger shall sojourn with thee, and will keep the passover to the LORD, let all his males be circumcised, and then let him come near and keep it. Exodus 12:48

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    7. On the Passover, show your son what God did to you when you left Egypt.

      Thou shalt shew thy son in that day, saying, This is done because of that which the LORD did unto me when I came forth out of Egypt. Exodus 13:8

      Maimonides

      P157: Recount the departure from Egypt - Ex 13:8

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    8. When your son asks you why your are sacrificing lambs and breaking donkeys' necks, tell him that you are doing it because God killed all the Egyptian firstborn children and animals.

      When thy son asketh thee in time to come, saying, What is this? that thou shalt say unto him, By strength of hand the LORD brought us out from Egypt, from the house of bondage: And it came to pass, when Pharaoh would hardly let us go, that the LORD slew all the firstborn in the land of Egypt, both the firstborn of man, and the firstborn of beast: therefore I sacrifice to the LORD all that openeth the matrix, being males but all the firstborn of my children I redeem. Exodus 13:14-15

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    9. Celebrate Passover on the evening of the fourteenth day of the first month.

      And the LORD spake unto Moses in the wilderness of Sinai, in the first month of the second year after they were come out of the land of Egypt, saying, Let the children of Israel also keep the passover at his appointed season. In the fourteenth day of this month, at even, ye shall keep it in his appointed season: according to all the rites of it, and according to all the ceremonies thereof, shall ye keep it. Numbers 9:1-3

      And in the fourteenth day of the first month is the passover of the Lord. Numbers 28:16

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    10. Strangers must keep the Passover.

      And if a stranger shall sojourn among you, and will keep the passover unto the LORD according to the ordinance of the passover, and according to the manner thereof, so shall he do. Numbers 9:14

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    Unclean Passover

    1. If you are unclean or traveling at the time of Passover, observe the special Passover for unclean people.

      And the LORD spake unto Moses, saying, Speak unto the children of Israel, saying, If any man of you or of your posterity shall be unclean by reason of a dead body, or be in a journey afar off, yet he shall keep the passover unto the LORD. The fourteenth day of the second month at even they shall keep it. Numbers 9:9-11

      Maimonides

      P57: Slaughter the second Passover offering - Num 9:10-12
      P58: Eat the second Passover offering - Num 9:10-12

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    2. Don't leave any leftovers when observing Unclean Passover.

      They shall leave none of it unto the morning ... according to all the ordinances of the passover they shall keep it. Numbers 9:12

      Maimonides

      N119: Don't allow any of the meat of the second Passover offering to remain until morning - Numbers 9:12

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    3. Don't break any of the lamb's bones when observing Unclean Passover.

      Nor break any bone of it: according to all the ordinances of the passover they shall keep it. Numbers 9:12

      Maimonides

      N122: Don't break any of the bones of the second Passover offering - Num 9:12
      Punishment: Whipping

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    The Sabbath

    1. Don't leave your house during the Sabbath.

      Abide ye every man in his place, let no man go out of his place on the seventh day. Exodus 16:29

      Maimonides

      N321: Don't jouney on the Sabbath - Ex 16:29
      Punishment: Whipping for walking more than 2000 cubits

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    2. Keep the Sabbath day holy.

      Remember the sabbath day, to keep it holy. Exodus 20:8

      Speak thou also unto the children of Israel, saying, Verily my sabbaths ye shall keep: for it is a sign between me and you throughout your generations that ye may know that I am the LORD that doth sanctify you. ... The children of Israel shall keep the sabbath, to observe the sabbath throughout their generations, for a perpetual covenant. Exodus 31:13-16

      On the seventh day there shall be to you an holy day, a sabbath of rest to the LORD. Exodus 34:21

      Keep my sabbaths. Leviticus 19:3, 26:2

      Ye shall keep my sabbaths. Leviticus 19:30

      Keep the sabbath day to sanctify it, as the LORD thy God hath commanded thee. Deuteronomy 5:12

      Thus saith the Lord Take heed to yourselves, and bear no burden on the sabbath day, nor bring it in by the gates of Jerusalem Neither carry forth a burden out of your houses on the sabbath day, neither do ye any work, but hallow ye the sabbath day, as I commanded your fathers.Jeremiah 17:21-22

      Hallow my sabbaths. Ezekiel 20:20

      Maimonides

      P155: Proclaim the sanctity of the Sabbath - Ex 20:8

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    3. Don't work on the Sabbath.

      This commandment applies not just to you, but to your children, slaves, strangers, and animals.
      Six days shalt thou labour, and do all thy work:But the seventh day is the sabbath of the LORD thy God: in it thou shalt not do any work, thou, nor thy son, nor thy daughter, thy manservant, nor thy maidservant, nor thy cattle, nor thy stranger that is within thy gates. Exodus 20:9-10

      Six days thou shalt do thy work, and on the seventh day thou shalt rest: that thine ox and thine ass may rest, and the son of thy handmaid, and the stranger, may be refreshed. Exodus 23:12

      Six days thou shalt work, but on the seventh day thou shalt rest. Exodus 34:21

      Six days shall work be done: but the seventh day is the sabbath of rest, an holy convocation ye shall do no work therein: it is the sabbath of the LORD in all your dwellings. Leviticus 23:3

      Six days thou shalt labour, and do all thy work: But the seventh day is the sabbath of the LORD thy God: in it thou shalt not do any work, thou, nor thy son, nor thy daughter, nor thy manservant, nor thy maidservant, nor thine ox, nor thine ass, nor any of thy cattle, nor thy stranger that is within thy gates. Deuteronomy 5:13-14

      Thus saith the Lord Take heed to yourselves, and bear no burden on the sabbath day, nor bring it in by the gates of JerusalemNeither carry forth a burden out of your houses on the sabbath day, neither do ye any work. Jeremiah 17:21-22

      Maimonides

      P154: Rest on the Sabbath - Ex 34:21
      N320: Don't work on the Sabbath - Ex 20:10
      Punishment: Stoning, if there are witnesses

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    4. Don't start a fire on the Sabbath.

      Ye shall kindle no fire throughout your habitations upon the sabbath day. Exodus 35:3

      Maimonides

      N322: Don'tpunish on the Sabbath - Ex 35:3

      Maimonides

      interpreted "not starting a fire" as "not punishing" on the Sabbath.

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    5. On every Sabbath day, bake twelve cakes and set them before the Lord.

      Use 0.2 deal of flour in each cake. Put the twelve cakes in two rows on a table with frankincense on them. Each Sabbath set them before the Lord, where Aaron and his sons (and their descendants) will eat them.
      Thou shalt take fine flour, and bake twelve cakes thereof: two tenth deals shall be in one cake. And thou shalt set them in two rows, six on a row, upon the pure table before the LORD.And thou shalt put pure frankincense upon each row, that it may be on the bread for a memorial, even an offering made by fire unto the LORD.Every sabbath he shall set it in order before the LORD continually, being taken from the children of Israel by an everlasting covenant. And it shall be Aaron's and his sons' and they shall eat it in the holy place: for it is most holy unto him of theofferings of the LORD made by fire by a perpetual statute. Leviticus 24:5-9

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    6. Don't buy any food on the Sabbath or holy day.

      If the people of the land bring ware or any victuals on the sabbath day to sell, that we would not buy it of them on the sabbath, or on the holy day. Nehemiah 10:31

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    7. Don't let anyone tell you what to do on the sabbath.

      Let no man therefore judge you ... in respect of ... the sabbath days. Colossians 2:16

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    The New Moon

    1. Blow the trumpet in the new moon.

      Blow up the trumpet in the new moon. Psalm 81:3

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    2. Don't let anyone tell you how to celebrate the new moon.

      Let no man therefore judge you ... in respect of ... the new moon. Colossians 2:16

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    The Seventh Month

    1. Afflict your soul on the tenth day of the seventh month.

      This shall be a statute for ever unto you: that in the seventh month, on the tenth day of the month, ye shall afflict your souls. Leviticus 16:29

      On the tenth day of this seventh month there shall be a day of atonement: it shall be an holy convocation unto you and ye shall afflict your souls.Leviticus 23:27

      Ye shall have on the tenth day of this seventh month an holy convocation and ye shall afflict your souls. Numbers 29:7-8

      Maimonides

      P164: Fast on Yom Kippur - Lev 16:29
      N196: Don't eat on Yom Kippur - Lev 23:29

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    2. Don't do any work on the tenth day of the seventh month.

      (God will destroy you if you do any work on this day.)
      This shall be a statute for ever unto you: that in the seventh month, on the tenth day of the month, ye shall ... do no work at all, whether it be one of your own country, or a stranger that sojourneth among you. Leviticus 16:29

      On the tenth day of this seventh month ... ye shall do no work in that same day. ... Whatsoever soul it be that doeth any work in that same day, the same soul will I destroy from among his people. Ye shall do no manner of work: it shall be a statute for ever throughout your generations in all your dwellings.It shall be unto you a sabbath of rest, and , shall ye celebrate your sabbath. Leviticus 23:27-32

      On the tenth day of this seventh month ... ye shall not do any work therein. Numbers 29:7-8

      Maimonides

      P165: Rest on Yom Kippur - Lev 16:32
      N329: Don't work on Yom Kippur - Lev 23:31
      Punishment: Death

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    3. On the first day of the seventh month have a trumpet-blowing sabbath, a holy convocation.

      In the seventh month, in the first day of the month, shall ye have a sabbath, a memorial of blowing of trumpets, an holy convocation.Leviticus 23:24

      And in the seventh month, on the first day of the month, ye shall have an holy convocation ... it is a day of blowing the trumpets unto you. Numbers 29:1

      Maimonides

      P170: Hear a Shofar (horn) on Rosh Hashana - Num 29:1

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    4. Don't do any work on the first day of the seventh month.

      Offer God a burnt offering instead. See here for the instructions.
      In the seventh month, in the first day of the month ... Ye shall do no servile work therein. Leviticus 23:24-25

      And in the seventh month, on the first day of the month ... ye shall do no servile work. Numbers 29:1

      Maimonides

      P163: Rest on Rosh Hashana - Lev 23:24
      N326: Don't work on Rosh Hashana - Lev 23:25

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    5. On the tenth day of the seventh month there shall be a day of atonement, a holy convocation.

      (See here for the required animal sacrifices.)
      On the tenth day of this seventh month there shall be a day of atonement: it shall be an holy convocation unto you. Leviticus 23:27a

      And ye shall have on the tenth day of this seventh month an holy convocation. Numbers 29:7

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    6. Dwell in booths for seven days in the feast of the seventh month.

      Ye shall dwell in booths seven days all that are Israelites born shall dwell in booths: That your generations may know that I made the children of Israel to dwell in booths, when I brought them out of the land of Egypt: I am the LORD your God. Leviticus 23:42-43

      They found written in the law which the LORD had commanded by Moses, that the children of Israel should dwell in booths in the feast of the seventh month. Nehemiah 8:14

      Maimonides

      P168: Dwell in a booth during Sukkoth. - Lev 23:42

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    Fifty Days

    1. Count fifty days after the wave-offering Sabbath.

      And ye shall count unto you from the morrow after the sabbath, from the day that ye brought the sheaf of the wave offering seven sabbaths shall be complete:Even unto the morrow after the seventh sabbath shall ye number fifty days. Leviticus 23:15-16

      Maimonides

      P161: Count the 49 days of the Omer - Lev 23:15-16

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    2. Have a holy convocation fifty days after the wave-offering Sabbath.

      And ye shall count unto you from the morrow after the sabbath, from the day that ye brought the sheaf of the wave offering seven sabbaths shall be complete:Even unto the morrow after the seventh sabbath shall ye number fifty days ...And ye shall proclaim on the selfsame day, that it may be an holy convocation unto you ...it shall be a statute for ever in all your dwellings throughout your generations. Leviticus 23:15-21

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    3. Don't do any work on the holy convocation day.

      (Fifty days after the wave-offering Sabbath)
      And ye shall count unto you from the morrow after the sabbath, from the day that ye brought the sheaf of the wave offering seven sabbaths shall be complete:Even unto the morrow after the seventh sabbath shall ye number fifty days ...And ye shall proclaim on the selfsame day ... ye shall do no servile work therein: it shall be a statute for ever in all your dwellings throughout your generations. Leviticus 23:15-21

      Maimonides

      P162: Rest on Shavuoth - Lev 23:21
      N325: Don't work onAtzereth (i.e., Shavuoth) - Lev 23:21

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    The Feast of Tabernacles

    1. The seven-day feast of tabernacles begins of the fifteenth day of the seventh month.

      The fifteenth day of this seventh month shall be the feast of tabernacles for seven days unto the LORD. Leviticus 23:34

      And on the fifteenth day of the seventh month ye shall have an holy convocation ... ye shall keep a feast unto the Lord seven days. Numbers 29:12

      Thou shalt observe the feast of tabernacles seven days. Deuteronomy 16:13

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    2. Don't do any work on the first day of the feast of tabernacles.

      The fifteenth day of this seventh month shall be the feast of tabernacles for seven days unto the LORD. On the first day shall be an holy convocation: ye shall do no servile work therein. Leviticus 23:34-35

      And on the fifteenth day of the seventh month ye shall have an holy convocation ye shall do no servile work. Numbers 29:12

      Maimonides

      P166: Rest on the first day of Sukkoth - Lev 23:35
      N327: Don't work on the first day of Sukkoth - Lev 23:35

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    3. During the seven-day feast of tabernacles rejoice with tree and palm branches.

      The fifteenth day of this seventh month shall be the feast of tabernacles for seven days unto the LORD. ... And ye shall take you on the first day the boughs of goodly trees, branches of palm trees, and the boughs of thick trees, and willows of the brook and ye shall rejoice before the LORD your God seven days. ... It shall be a statute for ever in your generations: ye shall celebrate it in the seventh month. Leviticus 23:34-41

      Thou shalt observe the feast of tabernacles seven days, after that thou hast gathered in thy corn and thy wine: And thou shalt rejoice in thy feast, thou, and thy son, and thy daughter, and thy manservant, and thy maidservant, and the Levite, the stranger, and the fatherless, and the widow, that are within thy gates. Seven days shalt thou keep a solemn feast unto the LORD thy God in the place which the LORD shall choose: because the LORD thy God shall bless thee in all thine increase, and in all the works of thine hands, therefore thou shalt surely rejoice. Deuteronomy 16:13-15

      Maimonides

      P54: Rejoice on the festivals - Dt 16:14
      P169: Take a lulab (palm branch) on Sukkoth - Lev 23:40

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    4. Don't do any work on the eighth day of the feast of tabernacles.

      The fifteenth day of this seventh month shall be the feast of tabernacles for seven days unto the LORD. ... on the eighth day ... ye shall do no servile work therein. Leviticus 23:34-41

      And on the fifteenth day of the seventh month ye shall have an holy convocation On the eighth day ... ye shall do no servile work therein. Numbers 29:12-35

      Maimonides

      P167: Rest on Shemini Atzereth - Lev 23:36
      N328: Don't work on Shemini Atzereth - Lev 23:36
      Punishment: Whipping, unless work is to prepare necessary food

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    The Jubilee Year

    1. Every fifty years, blow a trumpet on the tenth day of the seventh month.

      Thou shalt number seven sabbaths of years unto thee, seven times seven years and the space of the seven sabbaths of years shall be unto thee forty and nine years. Then shalt thou cause the trumpet of the jubile to sound on the tenth day of the seventh month, in the day of atonement shall ye make the trumpet sound throughout all your land. Leviticus 25:8-9

      Maimonides

      P137: Blow the Shofar (horn) on the tenth of Tishri in the Jubilee year - Lev 25:9
      P140: Count the years to the Jubilee - Lev 25:8

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    2. Declare a jubilee year every fifty years.

      Ye shall hallow the fiftieth year, and proclaim liberty throughout all the land unto all the inhabitants thereof: it shall be a jubile unto you.Leviticus 25:10a

      Maimonides

      P136: Sanctify the Jubilee year - Lev 25:10

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    3. Return to your family on the jubilee year.

      Ye shall hallow the fiftieth year ... and ye shall return every man unto his possession, and ye shall return every man unto his family. Leviticus 25:10b

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    4. During the jubilee year, don't sow, reap, or gather grapes.

      A jubile shall that fiftieth year be unto you: ye shall not sow, neither reap that which groweth of itself in it, nor gather the grapes in it of thy vine undressed.Leviticus 25:11

      Maimonides

      N224: Don't cultivate the soil in the Jubileen year - Lev 25:11
      N225: Don't reap the aftergrowths of the Jubilee year as in an ordinary year - Lev 25:11
      N226: Don't gather fruit in the Jubilee year as in an ordianary year - Lev 25:11
      Punishment: Whipping

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    Trumpets

    1. Make two silver trumpets to call people to meetings.

      And the LORD spake unto Moses, saying,Make thee two trumpets of silver of a whole piece shalt thou make them: that thou mayest use them for the calling of the assembly. Numbers 10:1-2

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    2. Only the descendants of Aaron can blow the trumpets.

      The sons of Aaron, the priests, shall blow with the trumpets and they shall be to you for an ordinance for ever throughout your generations. Numbers 10:8

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    3. Blow trumpets on happy days and solemn days, at the beginning of every month, and over your burnt and peace offerings.

      In the day of your gladness, and in your solemn days, and in the beginnings of your months, ye shall blow with the trumpets over your burnt offerings, and over the sacrifices of your peace offerings that they may be to you for a memorial before your God: I am the LORD your God. Numbers 10:10

      Maimonides

      P59: Blow the trumpets in the Sanctuary - Num 10:10

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    The Song of Moses

    1. Write down the Song of Moses and teach people to sing it.

      Write ye this song for you, and teach it the children of Israel: put it in their mouths. ... Moses therefore wrote this song the same day, and taught it the children of Israel. Deuteromony 31:19-22

      Here is Moses's song:

      Give ear, O ye heavens, and I will speak and hear, O earth, the words of my mouth.

      My doctrine shall drop as the rain, my speech shall distil as the dew, as the small rain upon the tender herb, and as the showers upon the grass:

      Because I will publish the name of the Lord: ascribe ye greatness unto our God.

      He is the Rock, his work is perfect: for all his ways are judgment: a God of truth and without iniquity, just and right is he.

      They have corrupted themselves, their spot is not the spot of his children: they are a perverse and crooked generation.

      Do ye thus requite the Lord, O foolish people and unwise? is not he thy father that hath bought thee? hath he not made thee, and established thee?

      Remember the days of old, consider the years of many generations: ask thy father, and he will shew thee thy elders, and they will tell thee.

      When the Most High divided to the nations their inheritance, when he separated the sons of Adam, he set the bounds of the people according to the number of the children of Israel.

      For the Lord's portion is his people Jacob is the lot of his inheritance.

      He found him in a desert land, and in the waste howling wilderness he led him about, he instructed him, he kept him as the apple of his eye.

      As an eagle stirreth up her nest, fluttereth over her young, spreadeth abroad her wings, taketh them, beareth them on her wings:

      So the Lord alone did lead him, and there was no strange god with him.

      He made him ride on the high places of the earth, that he might eat the increase of the fields and he made him to suck honey out of the rock, and oil out of the flinty rock

      Butter of kine, and milk of sheep, with fat of lambs, and rams of the breed of Bashan, and goats, with the fat of kidneys of wheat and thou didst drink the pure blood of the grape.

      But Jeshurun waxed fat, and kicked: thou art waxen fat, thou art grown thick, thou art covered with fatness then he forsook God which made him, and lightly esteemed the Rock of his salvation.

      They provoked him to jealousy with strange gods, with abominations provoked they him to anger.

      They sacrificed unto devils, not to God to gods whom they knew not, to new gods that came newly up, whom your fathers feared not.

      Of the Rock that begat thee thou art unmindful, and hast forgotten God that formed thee.

      And when the Lord saw it, he abhorred them, because of the provoking of his sons, and of his daughters.

      And he said, I will hide my face from them, I will see what their end shall be: for they are a very froward generation, children in whom is no faith.

      They have moved me to jealousy with that which is not God they have provoked me to anger with their vanities: and I will move them to jealousy with those which are not a people I will provoke them to anger with a foolish nation.

      For a fire is kindled in mine anger, and shall burn unto the lowest hell, and shall consume the earth with her increase, and set on fire the foundations of the mountains.

      I will heap mischiefs upon them I will spend mine arrows upon them.

      They shall be burnt with hunger, and devoured with burning heat, and with bitter destruction: I will also send the teeth of beasts upon them, with the poison of serpents of the dust.

      The sword without, and terror within, shall destroy both the young man and the virgin, the suckling also with the man of gray hairs.

      I said, I would scatter them into corners, I would make the remembrance of them to cease from among men:

      Were it not that I feared the wrath of the enemy, lest their adversaries should behave themselves strangely, and lest they should say, Our hand is high, and the Lord hath not done all this.

      For they are a nation void of counsel, neither is there any understanding in them.

      O that they were wise, that they understood this, that they would consider their latter end!

      How should one chase a thousand, and two put ten thousand to flight, except their Rock had sold them, and the Lord had shut them up?

      For their rock is not as our Rock, even our enemies themselves being judges.

      For their vine is of the vine of Sodom, and of the fields of Gomorrah: their grapes are grapes of gall, their clusters are bitter:

      Their wine is the poison of dragons, and the cruel venom of asps.

      Is not this laid up in store with me, and sealed up among my treasures?

      To me belongeth vengeance and recompence their foot shall slide in due time: for the day of their calamity is at hand, and the things that shall come upon them make haste.

      For the Lord shall judge his people, and repent himself for his servants, when he seeth that their power is gone, and there is none shut up, or left.

      And he shall say, Where are their gods, their rock in whom they trusted,

      Which did eat the fat of their sacrifices, and drank the wine of their drink offerings? let them rise up and help you, and be your protection.

      See now that I, even I, am he, and there is no god with me: I kill, and I make alive I wound, and I heal: neither is there any that can deliver out of my hand.

      For I lift up my hand to heaven, and say, I live for ever.

      If I whet my glittering sword, and mine hand take hold on judgment I will render vengeance to mine enemies, and will reward them that hate me.

      I will make mine arrows drunk with blood, and my sword shall devour flesh and that with the blood of the slain and of the captives, from the beginning of revenges upon the enemy.

      Rejoice, O ye nations, with his people: for he will avenge the blood of his servants, and will render vengeance to his adversaries, and will be merciful unto his land, and to his people. Deuteromony 32:1-43

      Maimonides

      P18: Acquire a Scroll of Law - Dt 31:19
      The commandment in Deuteronomy 31:19 is to write down and teach people to sing the Song of Moses -- not to acquire a scroll of law.

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    Holy Things

    1. Priests must stay away from holy things when they are unclean.

      And the LORD spake unto Moses, Speak unto Aaron and to his sons, that they separate themselves from the holy things of the children of Israel, and that they profane not my holy name in those things which they hallow unto me. Say unto them, Whosoever he be of all your seed among your generations, that goeth unto the holy things, which the children of Israel hallow unto the LORD, having his uncleanness upon him, that soul shall be cut off from my presence: I am the LORD. Leviticus 22:1-3

      Maimonides

      N75: An unclean priest may not minister in the sanctuary - Lev 22:2
      N76: A priest who is tevul yom (unclean) may not minister in the sanctuary - Lev 21:6
      Punishment: Death "by the hand of Heaven" (God will kill him.)

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    2. A priest who has leprosy may not eat holy things.

      What man soever of the seed of Aaron is a leper ... shall not eat of the holy things, until he be clean. Leviticus 22:4a

      Maimonides

      N136: An unclean priest may not eat terumah (sacrifice)- Lev 22:4

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    3. A priest with a running isue may not eat holy things.

      What man soever of the seed of Aaron [who] hath a running issue he shall not eat of the holy things, until he be clean. Leviticus 22:4b

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    4. A priest who has touched an unclean dead thing may not eat holy things.

      Whoso toucheth any thing that is unclean by the dead ... shall not eat of the holy things, unless he wash his flesh with water.Leviticus 22:4c-6

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    5. A priest whose seed has gone from him may not eat holy things.

      A man whose seed goeth from him ... shall not eat of the holy things, unless he wash his flesh with water.Leviticus 22:4d-6

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    6. A priest who has touched a creeping thing may not eat holy things.

      Whosoever toucheth any creeping thing, whereby he may be made unclean... shall not eat of the holy things, unless he wash his flesh with water.Leviticus 22:5-6

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    7. No stranger shall eat of the holy thing.

      There shall no stranger eat of the holy thing. Leviticus 22:10

      Maimonides

      N133: A zar (non-priest) may not eat terumah (heave offering) - Lev 22:10
      Punishment: Death "by the hand of Heaven"

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    8. No one who is visiting a priest shall eat of the holy thing.

      A sojourner of the priest ... shall not eat of the holy thing. Leviticus 22:10

      Maimonides

      N134: Apriest's tenant or hired servant may not eat terumah - Lev 22:10
      Punishment: Death "by the hand of Heaven"

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    9. No hired servant of a priest shall eat of the holy thing.

      An hired servant [of a priest], shall not eat of the holy thing. Leviticus 22:10

      Maimonides

      N134: A Priest's tenant or hired servant not to eat terumah - Lev 22:10
      Punishment: Death "by the hand of Heaven"

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    10. If you eat the holy thing by mistake, you must pay the priest for it, plus a 20% fine.

      If a man eat of the holy thing unwittingly, then he shall put the fifth part thereof unto it, and shall give it unto the priest with the holy thing. Leviticus 22:14

      Maimonides

      P118: Restitution for sacrilege - Lev 5:16, 22:14

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    11. Don't profane the holy things that Jews offer and eat.

      They shall not profane the holy things of the children of Israel, which they offer unto the LORD Or suffer them to bear the iniquity of trespass, when they eat their holy things. Leviticus 22:15-16

      Maimonides

      N153: Don't eat tevel ((heave offerings from which tithes haven't been taken) - Lev 22:15
      (Lev 22:15 says nothing about tithes.)
      Punishment: Death "by the hand of Heaven"

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    12. The sons of Kohath must bear the holy things on their shoulders.

      (Kohath was the son of Levi and grandfather of Moses and Aaron.)
      But unto the sons of Kohath he gave none: because the service of the sanctuary belonging unto them was that they should bear upon their shoulders. Numbers 7:9

      Maimonides

      P34: The priests must bear the ark - Num 7:9

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    13. Don't pollute the holy things.

      (Or you will die.)
      Neither shall ye pollute the holy things of the children of Israel, lest ye die.Numbers 18:32

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    The Red Cow

    1. Make holy water from the ashes of a spotless red cow.

      Find an unblemished, spotless red cow that has never pulled a plow.
      And the Lord spake unto Moses and unto Aaron, saying,This is the ordinance of the law which the Lord hath commanded, saying, Speak unto the children of Israel, that they bring thee a red heifer without spot, wherein is no blemish, and upon which never came yoke. Numbers 19:1-2
      Give the red cow to a priest, who will kill it, dip his finger in the blood, and sprinkle the blood seven times in front of the tabernacle.
      And ye shall give her unto Eleazar the priest, that he may bring her forth without the camp, and one shall slay her before his face:And Eleazar the priest shall take of her blood with his finger, and sprinkle of her blood directly before the tabernacle of the congregation seven times. Numbers 19:3-4
      Burn the dead cow's body in the sight of the priest, including the skin, flesh, blood, and dung.
      And one shall burn the heifer in his sight her skin, and her flesh, and her blood, with her dung, shall he burn: Numbers 19:5
      Throw some cedar wood, hyssop, and scarlet onto the burning cow.
      And the priest shall take cedar wood, and hyssop, and scarlet, and cast it into the midst of the burning of the heifer. Numbers 19:6
      Then the priest must wash his clothes and take a bath. He will be unclean until the evening. Likewise for the person who burned the cow.
      Then the priest shall wash his clothes, and he shall bathe his flesh in water, and afterward he shall come into the camp, and the priest shall be unclean until the even.And he that burneth her shall wash his clothes in water, and bathe his flesh in water, and shall be unclean until the even. Numbers 19:8-9
      Have a clean man collect the ashes and put them in a clean place. The ashes will be used to make "a water of separation" that will wash away sin.
      And a man that is clean shall gather up the ashes of the heifer, and lay them up without the camp in a clean place, and it shall be kept for the congregation of the children of Israel for a water of separation: it is a purification for sin. Numbers 19:9
      The clean man that gathered the ashes must wash his clothes. He will be unclean until the evening.
      And he that gathereth the ashes of the heifer shall wash his clothes, and be unclean until the even. Numbers 19:10a
      This is a statute for ever and for everyone, Israelites and strangers.
      It shall be unto the children of Israel, and unto the stranger that sojourneth among them, for a statute for ever. Numbers 19:10b

      Maimonides

      P113: The ashes of the red heifer - Num 19:10

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    2. Follow this procedure to get clean after touching a dead body, bone, grave, unclean person, or water of separation.

      If you touch a dead body, you will be unclean for seven days.
      He that toucheth the dead body of any man shall be unclean seven days. Numbers 19:11
      But if you wash yourself on the third and seventh days with the holy water made from the red cow's ashes, then you'll be clean.
      He shall purify himself with it on the third day, and on the seventh day he shall be clean. Numbers 19:12a
      If you don't wash yourself with the cow-ash water on the third and seventh days, you won't be clean.
      But if he purify not himself the third day, then the seventh day he shall not be clean. Numbers 19:12b
      If you touch the dead body of a dead man, and don't purify yourself according to the above instructions, you'll be cut off and unclean.
      Whosoever toucheth the dead body of any man that is dead, and purifieth not himself, defileth the tabernacle of the Lord and that soul shall be cut off from Israel: because the water of separation was not sprinkled upon him, he shall be unclean his uncleanness is yet upon him.Numbers 19:13
      If a man dies in a tent, whoever enters the tent is unclean for seven days. And any open containers are also unclean.
      This is the law, when a man dieth in a tent: all that come into the tent, and all that is in the tent, shall be unclean seven days.And every open vessel, which hath no covering bound upon it, is unclean. Numbers 19:14-15
      If you touch the dead body of someone who was killed with a sword, or any other dead body, or a human bone, or a grave, then you'll be unclean for seven days.
      And whosoever toucheth one that is slain with a sword in the open fields, or a dead body, or a bone of a man, or a grave, shall be unclean seven days. Numbers 19:16
      If you are unclean, get some of the red cow ashes and mix them with water. Have a clean person take some hyssop, dip it in the water, and sprinkle it on the tent, the open containers, and any people that were around a dead man, or who touched a dead person, bone or grave.
      And for an unclean person they shall take of the ashes of the burnt heifer of purification for sin, and running water shall be put thereto in a vessel: And a clean person shall take hyssop, and dip it in the water, and sprinkle it upon the tent, and upon all the vessels, and uponthe persons that were there, and upon him that touched a bone, or one slain, or one dead, or a grave. Numbers 19:17-18
      Have the clean person sprinkle you on the third and seventh day. Then wash your clothes and take a bath. You'll be clean that evening.
      And the clean person shall sprinkle upon the unclean on the third day, and on the seventh day: and on the seventh day he shall purify himself, and wash his clothes, and bathe himself in water, and shall be clean at even. Numbers 19:19
      If you don't get clean, though, you'll be unclean and cut off from your people.
      But the man that shall be unclean, and shall not purify himself,that soul shall be cut off from among the congregation, because he hath defiled the sanctuary of the LORD: the water of separation hath not been sprinkled upon him he is unclean. Numbers 19:20
      This is a perpetual statute.
      And it shall be a perpetual statute unto them, that he that sprinkleth the water of separation shall wash his clothes and he that toucheth the water of separation shall be unclean until even. Numbers 19:21a
      The person that sprinkles the water of separation must wash his clothes. And whoever touches the water of separation will be unclean until evening.
      He that sprinkleth the water of separation shall wash his clothes and he that toucheth the water of separation shall be unclean until even. Numbers 19:21
      Whoever touches the unclean person is unclean until evening.
      And whatsoever the unclean person toucheth shall be unclean and the soul that toucheth it shall be unclean until even. Numbers 19:22

      Maimonides

      P107: The uncleanness of a corpse - Num 19:14
      P108: The law of the water of sprinkling - Num 19:1-22

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    The Congregation of the Lord

    1. A man with damaged testicles or a severed penis may not enter into the congregation of the Lord.

      He that is wounded in the stones, or hath his privy member cut off, shall not enter into the congregation of the LORD. Deuteronomy 23:1

      Maimonides

      N360: A man incapable of procreation may not marry a Jewess - Dt 23:2
      Punishment: Whipping

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    2. A bastard may not enter into the congregation of the Lord.

      A bastard shall not enter into the congregation of the LORD. Deuteronomy 23:2a

      Maimonides

      N354: Don't let a mamzer (bastard) marry into the Jewish people - Dt 23:2
      Punishment: Whipping

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    3. You many not enter into the congregation of the Lord unless you can prove that there were no bastards among your ancestors in the last ten generations.

      A bastard shall not enter into the congregation of the LORD even to his tenth generation shall he not enter into the congregation of the LORD. Deuteronomy 23:2b

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    Tithing

    1. Give God 10% of everything you have.

      ("tithe" is an Old English word that means "one-tenth.")
      And all the tithe of the land, whether of the seed of the land, or of the fruit of the tree, is the LORD's: it is holy unto the LORD. Leviticus 27:30

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    2. You can buy your 10% tithe back by paying 20%.

      And if a man will at all redeem ought of his tithes, he shall add thereto the fifth part thereof.Leviticus 27:31

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    3. Give God 10% of your cattle, without regard to quality.

      Concerning the tithe of the herd, or of the flock, even of whatsoever passeth under the rod, the tenth shall be holy unto the LORD. He shall not search whether it be good or bad, neither shall he change it: and if he change it at all, then both it and the change thereof shall be holy. Leviticus 27:32-33a

      Maimonides

      P78: Tithe of cattle - Lev 27:32

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    4. The cattle tithe cannot be redeemed.

      It [the cattle tithe] shall not be redeemed. Leviticus 27:33b

      Maimonides

      N109: Don't sell the tithe of cattle - Lev 27:33

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    5. Don't eat your tithe (of corn, wine, oil, and firstlings) inside the gates the your city.

      (Eat them before the Lord in a place he chooses.)
      Thou mayest not eat within thy gates the tithe of thy corn, or of thy wine, or of thy oil, or the firstlings of thy herds or of thy flock, nor any of thy vows which thou vowest, nor thy freewill offerings, or heave offering of thine hand: But thou must eat them before the LORD thy God in the place which the LORD thy God shall choose. Deuteronomy 12:17-18

      Maimonides

      N141: Don't eat the unredeemed second tithe of corn outside Jerusalem - Dt 12:17
      N142: Don't consume the unredeemed second tithe of wine products outside Jerusalem - Dt 12:17
      N143: Don't consume the unredeemed second tithe of oil outside Jerusalem - Dt 12:17
      N144: Don't eat an unblemished firstling outside Jerusalem - Dt 12:17
      N145: Don't eat the sin offering and the guilt offering outside the Sanctuary court - Dt 12:17
      N146: Don't eat the meat of a burnt offering - Dt 12:17
      N147: Don't eat lesser holy offerings before dashing their blood on the Altar - Dt 12:17
      N148: A priest may not eat first fruits outside Jerusalem - 12:17
      Punishment for each of these commandments: Whipping

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    6. Reserve a tenth of your produce each year, including corn, wine, oil, and firstlings of your heard and flocks.

      Thou shalt truly tithe all the increase of thy seed, that the field bringeth forth year by year ... the tithe of thy corn, of thy wine, and of thine oil, and the firstlings of thy herds and of thy flocks. Deuteronomy 14:22

      Maimonides

      P128: The second tithe - Dt 14:22

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    7. Take it to wherever God tells you to take it, and consume it there.

      (So you'll learn to fear God always.)
      And thou shalt eat before the Lord thy God, in the place which he shall choose to place his name there, the tithe of thy corn, of thy wine, and of thine oil, and the firstlings of thy herds and of thy flocks that thou mayest learn to fear the Lord thy God always. Deuteronomy 14:23

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    8. If it's too far away to carry everything, then sell your stuff and bring the money instead.

      And if the way be too long for thee, so that thou art not able to carry it or if the place be too far from thee, which the Lord thy God shall choose to set his name there, when the Lord thy God hath blessed thee:Then shalt thou turn it into money, and bind up the money in thine hand, and shalt go unto the place which the Lord thy God shall choose. Deuteronomy 14:24-25

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    9. When you get there, you can buy oxen, sheep, wine, strong drink -- whatever your soul lusts after.

      And thou shalt bestow that money for whatsoever thy soul lusteth after, for oxen, or for sheep, or for wine, or for strong drink, or for whatsoever thy soul desireth: and thou shalt eat there before the Lord thy God, and thou shalt rejoice, thou, and thine household. Deuteronomy 14:26

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    10. Every three years bring a tenth of your produce to the city gates and leave it for Levites, strangers, the fatherless, and widows.

      At the end of three years thou shalt bring forth all the tithe of thine increase the same year, and shalt lay it up within thy gates:And the Levite, (because he hath no part nor inheritance with thee,) and the stranger, and the fatherless, and the widow, which are within thy gates, shall come, and shall eat and be satisfied. Deuteronomy 14:28-29

      When thou hast made an end of tithing all the tithes of thine increase the third year, which is the year of tithing, and hast given it unto the Levite, the stranger, the fatherless, and the widow, that they may eat within thy gates, and be filled Deuteronomy 26:12

      Maimonides

      P130: The poor man's tithe - Dt 14:28

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    11. After you finish giving your tithe, say the following words to God:

      I have brought away the hallowed things out of mine house, and also have given them unto the Levite, and unto the stranger, to the fatherless, and to the widow, according to all thy commandments which thou hast commanded me: I have not transgressed thy commandments, neither have I forgotten them.I have not eaten thereof in my mourning, neither have I taken away ought thereof for any unclean use, nor given ought thereof for the dead: but I have hearkened to the voice of the Lord my God, and have done according to all that thou hast commanded me.Look down from thy holy habitation, from heaven, and bless thy people Israel, and the land which thou hast given us, as thou swarest unto our fathers, a land that floweth with milk and honey. Deuteronomy 26:13-15

      Maimonides

      P131: The avowal of the tithe - Dt 26:13-15
      N150: Don't eat an unredeemed unclean 2nd tithe, even in Jerusalem - Dt 26:14
      N151: Don't eat the 2nd tithe in mourning - Dt 26:14
      N152: Don't spend the redemption money of the 2nd tithe except on food and drink - Dt 26:14
      Punishment: Whipping

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    12. Give one-third of a shekel each year for the service of the house of God.

      Also we made ordinances for us, to charge ourselves yearly with the third part of a shekel for the service of the house of our God. Nehemiah 10:32

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    13. Bring the tithes into the storehouse.

      (Or God will not bless you by opening the windows of heaven.)
      Bring ye all the tithes into the storehouse, that there may be meat in mine house, and prove me now herewith, saith the LORD of hosts, if I will not open you the windows of heaven, and pour you out a blessing, that there shall not be room enough to receive it.Malachi 3:10-11

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    14. Be a cheerful giver.

      Give not grudgingly, or of necessity: for God loveth a cheerful giver. 2 Corinthians 9:7

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