Dear Refiner's Fire...

I don't know who Dr. Laura is, but maybe you can answer these questions:

An open letter to Dr. Laura, by J. Kent Ashcraft, May 2000

Dear Dr. Laura,

Thank you for doing so much to educate people regarding God's Law. I have learned a great deal from your show, and I try to share that knowledge with as many people as I can. When someone tries to defend the homosexual lifestyle, for example, I simply remind him that Leviticus 18:22 clearly states it to be an abomination. End of debate.

I do need some advice from you, however, regarding some of the specific laws and how to best follow them.

a) When I burn a bull on the altar as a sacrifice, I know it creates a pleasing odor for the Lord (Lev 1:9). The problem is my neighbors. They claim the odor is not pleasing to them. Should I smite them?

b) I would like to sell my daughter into slavery, as sanctioned in Exodus 21:7. In this day and age, what do you think would be a fair price for her?

c) I know that I am allowed no contact with a woman while she is in her period of menstrual uncleanliness (Lev -24). The problem is, how do I tell? I have tried asking, but most women take offense.

d) Lev. 25:44 states that I may indeed possess slaves, both male and female, provided they are purchased from neighboring nations. A friend of mine claims that this applies to Mexicans, but not Canadians. Can you clarify? Why can't I own Canadians?

e) I have a neighbor who insists on working on the Sabbath. Exodus 35:2 clearly states he should be put to death. Am I morally obligated to kill him myself?

f) A friend of mine feels that even though eating shellfish is an Abomination (Lev 11:10), it is a lesser abomination than homosexuality. I don't agree. Can you settle this?

g) Lev 21:20 states that I may not approach the altar of God if I have a defect in my sight. I have to admit that I wear reading glasses. Does my vision have to be 20/20, or is there some wiggle room here?

h) Most of my male friends get their hair trimmed, including the hair around their temples, even though this is expressly forbidden by Lev 19:27. How should they die?

i) I know from Lev 11:6-8 that touching the skin of a dead pig makes me unclean, but may I still play football if I wear gloves?

j) My uncle has a farm. He violates Lev 19:19 by planting two different crops in the same field, as does his wife by wearing garments made of two different kinds of thread (cotton/polyester blend). He also tends to curse and blaspheme a lot. Is it really necessary that we go to all the trouble of getting the whole town together to stone them? (Lev 24:10-16) Couldn't we just burn them to death at a private family affair like we do with people who sleep with their in-laws? (Lev. 20:14)

I know you have studied these things extensively, so I am confident you can help. Thank you again for reminding us that God's word is eternal and unchanging. Your devoted disciple and adoring fan.

KangarooRyder

Our Response....

Dr. Laura is a Jewish radio personality who solves problems via the "Old Testament".

The person who wrote to her clearly doesn't understand Torah and is making fun of Yahweh (God) and His commandments. The bottom line is, he has taken things totally out of context. For instance, he doesn't understand that most of the 613 original commandments were for the priests of that day. He doesn't understand that God gave us His original commandments so keep us from harm and from dying of diseases. Back in Biblical times - and still today! - eating pork that was even slightly undercooked, would in no uncertain terms, kill people. And today, eating undercooked beef that has been infected with Mad Cow Disease can also kill you! (That is a RECENT condition which is part of the "end times" scenario which we are now undergoing. Until "Mad Cow" came along, people in other countries have been eating a "delicacy" of raw beef with no problems. Lately, we have seen a rash of new diseases caused by "beasts of the field", as outlined in the Book of Revelation.)

The Book of Leviticus explains the things God said were good to eat, and which were forbidden. Each and every one of the things He forbade was something that can kill a human instantly. Check the internet and you will find instances where shellfish in the form of "Sushi" has been linked to many deaths....

Furthermore, God is God and He can order us to do whatever He wants. Our job is to obey. That includes keeping the seventh day Sabbath. He made the Sabbath for us - in other words, HE chose a day that He wanted us to refrain from work of any kind just to relax, have fun, and to reflect on God. He's our creator and He deserves worship. Without Him, none of us would be here. In "Old Testament" times, there was severe punishment for disobeying God. Thanks to the death of Yeshua HaMashiach (Jesus Christ), we can be forgiven our transgressions without having to sacrifice innocent animals. Does that mean we can sin on purpose? No. It means that we won't be put to death for working on a Sabbath.

God was trying to protect people, not keep them from "free will".

Concerning the owning of slaves - God never said we could own slaves. MAN started this nonsense and is doing it to this day. Therefore, in order to ensure the safety and prevent abuse of slaves, God made some rules. However, the slavery that existed in Israel was vastly different from the tyrannical forms of slavery that have existed throughout history.

Exodus 21:16 says: "He who kidnaps a man, whether he sells him or he is found in his possession, shall surely be put to death." Deuteronomy 24:7 states: "If a man is caught kidnapping any of his countrymen of the sons of Israel, and he deals with him violently, or sells him, then that thief shall die; so you shall purge the evil from among you."

Kidnapping and enforced slavery are forbidden and punishable by death. This was true for any man (Exodus 21:16), as well as for the Israelites (Deuteronomy 24:7). This was stealing a man's freedom. While aspects of slavery are Biblical (for punishment and restitution for theft, or for those who prefer the security of becoming a permanent bondservant), the Bible strictly forbids involuntary servitude.

God provided guidelines to protect slaves. For example, a slave who was maimed by his master would be set free. If a slave died because his master beat him, the master could be punished with death. Women captives could become slaves, or they could be taken as wives, but they were not to be used for mere sexual gratification. Israelites were to treat slaves with respect and kindness. (Exodus 20:10; 21:12, 16, 26, 27; Leviticus 22:10, 11; Deuteronomy 21:10-14)

Some Jews voluntarily became slaves to their fellow Jews in order to repay debts. This practice protected people from starvation and actually allowed many to recover from poverty. Furthermore, at key junctures in the Jewish calendar, slaves were to be released if they so desired. (Exodus 21:2; Leviticus 25:10; Deuteronomy 15:12)

For more information, see the Wallbuilders' article, Bible, Slavery, and America's Founders.