Judaism — Nebuchadnezzar’s first dream
October 3, 2011
Judaism – Nebuchadnezzar had an unpleasant dream; it worried him so greatly that he could not sleep. He summoned his magicians, wizards, sorcerers and astrologers, and asked them to interpret his dream. They replied: `May your majesty live for ever! Relate to us your dream, and we shall explain it.’ The king said: ‘I insist that you first relate to me my dream, and then tell me what it means. If you fail, I shall have you torn limb from limb.’ They replied: `Your majesty, if you relate your dream to us, we shall explain it.’ The king exclaimed: `You are merely trying to gain time. Tell me what the dream was, and then I shall know that you can tell me what it means.’ They said: ‘No one on the face of the earth could do what you are asking.’ At that the king flew into a rage, and ordered the execution of all the royal advisers in Babylon including Daniel and his companions.
Daniel heard of the king’s order, and told his friends to pray to the God of heaven for help. The friends asked God to reveal the king’s dream to Daniel, so they would not be killed along with the other advisors. That same night their prayer
was answered. Daniel praised God in heaven: `You are wise and powerful. You reveal that which is deep and hidden; you know what lies in darkness, and you yourself are surrounded by light. You have given me wisdom and strength, revealing to me what we asked.’ In the morning Daniel asked the guard to take him to the king.
Judaism –A wicked law
During the time of the Roman Empire the Senate planned to pass a law that would have prohibited both the observance of the Sabbath and the rite of circumcision.
Rabbi Reuben disguised himself as a Roman, and came before the Senate. He spoke perfect Latin, with a Roman accent. ‘Do you hate the Jews?’ he asked. A leading senator replied: `Yes, because they refuse to worship the Roman emperor as a god.’ ‘Do you wish, therefore, to destroy the Jewish religion?’ The senator replied that they did.
Rabbi Reuben said:`If you prohibit the observance of the Sabbath, the Jews will work seven days a week, instead of six. Thus they will become even more rich and powerful.’ So the Senate set aside the first prohibition. Then the rabbi said: ‘If you prohibit circumcision, they will produce even more children – since circumcision reduces fertility.’ So the Senate set aside the second prohibition.
Copyright © 2011
Posted by Angelia Kates · Filed Under Religion
