Tabernacle

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Written by: Dr. Correo Andrew Hofstad

Category: Serekh Hayahad (The Rule of the Community) "10 Commandments"

1 In the Community council (there shall be) twelve men and three priests, perfect in everything that has been revealed about all 
2 the law to implement truth, justice, judgment, compassionate love and unassuming behaviour of each person to his fellow 
3 to preserve faithfulness on the earth with firm purpose and repentant spirit in order to atone for sin, doing justice 
4 and undergoing trials in order to walk with everyone in the measure of truth and the regulation of time. When these things exist in Israel 
5 the Community council shall be founded on truth, Blank like an everlasting plantation, a holy house for Israel and the foundation of the holy of 
6 holies for Aaron, true witnesses for the judgment and chosen by the will (of God) to atone for the earth and to render 
7 the wicked their retribution. Blank It (the Community) will be the tested rampart, the precious cornerstone that does not Blank 
8 /whose foundations do not shake or tremble in their place. Blank It will be the most holy dwelling 
9 for Aaron with total knowledge of the covenant of justice and in order to offer a pleasant /aroma/; and it will be a house of perfection and truth in Israel; 
10 {...} in order to establish a covenant in compliance with the everlasting decrees. /And these will be accepted in order to atone for the earth and to decide the judgment of the wicked {...(and there will be no iniquity/. When these have been established in the foundation of the Community for two full years /in/ perfect behaviour 
11 /they w ill be segregated/ (like) holy ones in the midst of the council of the men of the Community. And every matter hidden from Israel but which has been found out by 
12 the Interpreter, he should not keep hidden from them for fear of a spirit of desertion. And w hen these exist /as a community/ in Israel 
13 /in compliance with these arrangements/ they are to be segregated from within the dwelling of the men of sin to walk to the desert in order to open there His path. 
14 As it is written: «In the desert, prepare the way of ****, straighten in the steppe a roadway for our God». 
15 This is the study of the law which he commanded through the hand of Moses, in order to act in compliance with all that has been revealed from age to age, 
16 and according to what the prophets have revealed through his holy spirit. And anyone of the men of the Community, the covenant of 
17 the Community, who insolently shuns anything at all commanded, cannot approach the pure food of the men of holiness, 
18 and cannot know anything of their counsels until his deeds have been cleansed from every depravity, walking on the perfect path. Then they can include him 
19 in the council under the authority of the Many and later they will enrol him according to his rank. And (they shall apply) this regulation to all who enter the Community. 
20 Blank These are the regulations by which the men of perfect holiness shall conduct themselves, each with his fellow. 
21 All who enter the council of holiness of those walking along the path of perfection as has been commanded, anyone of them 
22 who breaks one word of the law of Moses impertinently or through carelessness will be banished from the Community council 
23 and shall not go back again; none of the men of holiness should associate with his goods or his advice on any 
24 matter. However if he acted through oversight he should be excluded from pure food and from the council and the regulation applied to him: 
25 «He cannot judge anyone and no-one should ask his advice for two whole years*. If his conduct is perfect 
26 in them, he may return to the interpretation and to the council [according to the authority of the Ma]ny, if he has not sinned again through oversight until two full years have passed. 
27 Blank 

Details

Written by: Dr. Correo Andrew Hofstad

Category: Serekh Hayahad (The Rule of the Community) "10 Commandments"

1 For  {...}  a sin  of  oversight,  then,  he  will  be  punished  two  years;  but whoever  acts  impertinently  shall  not  go  back  again.  Only  someone  who  sins through  oversight  
2 shall  be  tested  for  two  full  years  in  respect  of  his  behaviour and  of  his  counsel  according  to  the  authority  of  the  Many  and  shall  then  be enrolled  according  to  his  rank  in  the  Community  of  holiness.  
3 Blank  When these  exist  in  Israel  in  accordance  with  these  rules  in  order  to  establish  the spirit  of  holiness  in  truth  
4  eternal,  in  order  to  atone  for  the  fault  of  the  trans- gression and  for  the  guilt  of  sin  and  for  approval  for  the  earth,  without  the  flesh of  burnt  offerings  and  without  the  fats  of  sacrifice -the  offering  of  
5 the  lips  in compliance  with  the  decree  will  be  like  the  pleasant  aroma  of  justice  and  the correctness  of  behaviour  will  be  acceptable  like  a freewill  offering -at  this  mo- ment the  men  of  
6 the  Community  shall  set  themselves  apart  (like)  a holy  house for  Aaron,  in  order  to  enter  the  holy  of  holies,  and  (like)  a house  of  the  Com- munity for  Israel,  (for)  those  who  walk  in  perfection.  
7 Only  the  sons  of  Aaron will  have  authority  in  the  matter  of  judgment  and  of  goods,  and  their  word  will settle  the  lot  of  all  provision  for  the  men  of  the  Community  
8 and  the  goods  of the  men  of  holiness  who  walk  in  perfection.  Their  goods  must  not  be  confused with  the  goods  of  the  men  of  deceit  who  
9 have  not  cleansed  their  path,  with- drawing from  evil  and  walking  on  a perfect  path.  They  should  not  depart  from any  counsel  of  the  law  in  order  to  walk  
10 in  complete  stubbornness  of  their heart,  but  instead  shall  be  ruled  by  the  first  directives  which  the  men  of  the Community  began  to  be  taught  
11 until  the  prophet  comes,  and  the  Messiahs of  Aaron  and  Israel.  Blank  
12  Blank  These  are  the  regulations  for  the  Instructor by  which  he  shall  walk  with  every  living  being  in  compliance  with  the  circum- stances of  every  period  and  in  compliance  with  the  worth  of  each  man:  
13  he should  fulfil  the  will  of  God  in  compliance  with  all  revelation  for  every  period; he  should  acquire  all  the  wisdom  that  has  been  gained  according  to  the  periods and  the  
14  regulation  of  the  period;  he  should  separate  and  weigh  the  sons  of Zadok  Blank  according  to  their  spirits;  he  should  keep  hold  of  the  chosen  ones of  the  period  according  to  his  will,  as  he  has  commanded;  he  should  carry  out the  judgment  of  each  man  in  accordance  with  his  spirit;  he  should  include  each one  according  to  the  purity  of  his  hands  and  according  to  his  intellect  
16  promote him.  And  thus  shall  be  his  love  and  thus  shall  be  his  hatred.  Blank  He should  not  reproach  or  argue  with  the  men  of  the  pit  but  instead  hide  the counsel  of  the  law  in  the  midst  of  the  men  of  sin.  He  should  reproach  (with) truthful  knowledge  and  (with)  just  judgment  those  who  choose  
18  the  path, each  one  according  to  his  spirit,  according  to  the  circumstances  of  the  time.  He should  lead  them  with  knowledge  and  in  this  way  teach  them  the  mysteries  of wonder  and  of  truth  in  the  midst  of  
19  the  men  of  the  Community,  so  that  they walk  perfectly,  each  one  with  his  fellow,  in  all  that  has  been  revealed  to  them. This  is  the  time  for  making  ready  the  path  
20  to  the  desert  and  he  will  teach them  about  all  that  has  been  discovered  so  that  they  can  carry  it  out  in  this moment  and  so  they  will  be  detached  from  anyone  who  has  not  withdrawn  his path  
21  from  all  wickedness.  And  these  are  the  rules  of  behaviour  for  the  In- spector in  these  times,  concerning  his  love  and  his  hatred.  Everlasting  hatred 
22  for  the  men  of  the  pit  in  clandestine  spirit.  To  them  he  should  leave  goods and  hand-made  items  like  a servant  to  his  master  and  like  one  oppressed  before 
23  someone  domineering  him.  He  should  be  a man  enthusiastic  for  the  decree and  for  his  time,  for  the  day  of  revenge.  He  should  perform  (God’s)  will  in  all that  his  hand  should  tackle  
24  and  in  all  that  he  controls,  as  he  commanded. And  all  that  happens  to  him  he  should  welcome  freely  and  be  gratified  by  noth- ing except  God’s  will.  
25  He  should  relish  all  the  words  of  his  mouth,  wish  for nothing  that  he  has  not  commanded  and  be  ever  alert  to  the  precept  of  God. 
26  [. . .]  he  shall  bless  his  Creator  and  in  all  that  transpires  [. . . and  with  the  of- fering] of  his  lips  he  shall  bless  him 

Details

Written by: Dr. Correo Andrew Hofstad

Category: Serekh Hayahad (The Rule of the Community) "10 Commandments"

1 during.  Blank  the  periods  which  (?)  he  decreed(?). At  the  commencement  of  the  dominion  of  light, during  its  rotation and  when  retired  to  its  appointed  abode. At  the  commencement  of  the  vigils  of  darkness 
2 when  he  opens  his  store  and  stretches  them  upwards and  in  his  rotation and  when  it  retires  before  the  light. When  the  lights  of  the  holy  vault  shine  out 
3 when  they  retire  to  the  abode  of  glory. At  the  entry  of  the  constellation  in  the  days  of  the  new  moon together  with  their  rotations  during  their  stations 
4 renewing  each  other. It  is  a great  day  for  the  holy  of  holies, and  an  omen  Blank  of  the  opening  of  his  everlasting  mercies 
5 for  the  beginnings  of  the  constellations  in  every  future  age.  Blank At  the  commencement  of  the  months  in  their  constellations, and  of  the  holy  days  in  their  sequence, as  a reminder  in  their  constellations. 
6 With  the  offering  of  lips  I shall  bless  you, in  accordance  with  the  decree  recorded  for  ever. At  the  commencement  of  the  years  and  in  the  gyrations  of  their  constellations, when  the  decree  of  their  disposition  is  carried  out, 
7 on  the  prescribed  day,  one  after  another; the  constellation  of  the  harvest  up  to  summer, the  constellation  of  seed-time  up  to  the  constellation  of  the  grass, the  constellation  of  the  years  up  to  their  seven-year  periods. 
8 At  the  commencement  of  the  seven-year  periods up  to  the  moment  decided  for  deliverance. And  in  all  my  existence it  shall  be  a precept  engraved  on  my  tongue like  fruit  of  eulogy and  the  portion  of  my  lips. 
9 {...}  I will  sing  with  knowledge and  for  the  glory  of  God  shall  all  my  music  be, the  playing  of  my  harp  for  his  holy  order, and  the  whistle  of  my  lips I shall  tune  to  its  correct  measure. 
10  At  the  onset  of  day  and  night I shall  enter  the  covenant  of  God, and  when  evening  and  morning  depart I shall  repeat  his  precepts; and  while  they  last I shall  set  them  as  my  limit 
11  with  no  backtracking.His  judgment  reproaches  me  in  conformity  with  my  delights; they  are  before  my  eyes,  like  graven  laws,  my  sins. But  to  God  I shall  say:  «My  justice*, 
12  and  to  the  Most  High:  ((Foundation  of  my  well-being*, ((source  of  knowing*, «spring  of  holiness*, «peak  of  glory*, «all-powerful  one  of  eternal  majesty*. I shall  choose  what  he  teaches  me, 
13  I shall  be  pleased  in  how  he  might  judge  me. When  I start  to  stretch  out  my  hands  and  my  feet I shall  bless  his  name; when  I start  to  go  out  and  to  come  in, 
14  to  sit  and  to  stand  up, and  lying  down  in  my  bed I shall  extol  him; I shall  bless  him  with  the  offering  that  issues  from  my  lips 
15  and  before  stretching  out  my  hand to  get  fat  on  the  tasty  fruit  of  the  earth. At  the  onset  of  fright  and  dismay and  in  the  place  of  distress  and  grief, 
16  I shall  bless  him  for  (his)  great  marvels and  shall  meditate  on  his  power and  shall  rely  on  his  compassion the  whole  day. I realize  that  in  his  hand lies  the  judgment  of  every  living  thing, 
17  and  all  his  deeds  are  truth.When  distress  is  unleashed I shall  praise  him just  as  I shall  sing  to  him for  his  deliverance. I shall  not  repay  anyone with  an  evil  reward; 
18  with  goodness  I shall  pursue  the  man For  to  God  (belongs)  the  judgment of  every  living  being, and  it  is  he  who  pays  man  his  wages. I shall  have  no  enthusiasm  for  the  wicked  spirit, 
19  and  my  soul  shall  not  crave  wealth  by  violence I /shall  not  be  involved/  at  all  in  any  dispute of  the  men  of  the  pit /until  the  day/  of  vengeance. 
20  However,  I shall  not  remove  my  anger from  wicked  men, nor  shall  I be  appeased, until  he  carries  out  his  judgment. I  shall  not  sustain  angry  resentment for  someone  who  converts  from  transgression, but  I shall  have  no  mercy 
21  for  all  those  who  deviate  from  the  path. I shall  not  comfort  the  oppressed until  their  path  is  perfect. I shall  not  retain  Belial  within  my  heart. From  my  mouth  no  vulgarity  shall  be  heard 
22  or  wicked  deceptions; sophistries  or  lies shall  not  be  found  on  my  lips. The  fruit  of  holiness  will  be  on  my  tongue, 
23  profanity  shall  not  be  found  on  it. With  hymns  shall  I open  my  mouth and  my  tongue  will  ever  number  the  just  acts  of  God and  the  treachery  of  men until  their  transgression  is  complete. 
24  I shall  remove  from  my  lips  worthless  words, unclean  things  and  plotting  from  the  knowledge  of  my  heart. With  wise  counsel  I shall  hide  /I  shall  tell  of/  knowledge, 
25  and  with  discretion  of  knowledge  I shall  enclose  him  with  a solid  fence to  maintain  faithfulness  and  staunch  judgment with  the  justice  of  God. 
26  [I  shall  share  out]  the  regulation  with  the  cord  of  the  ages [...]  justice  and  compassionate  love  with  the  oppressed, and  to  strengthen  the  hands  of  the  [. . .] 

Details

Written by: Dr. Correo Andrew Hofstad

Category: Serekh Hayahad (The Rule of the Community) "10 Commandments"

1 understanding  of  those  with  a stray  spirit in  order  to  instruct  in  the  teaching  those  who  complain to  reply  with  meekness  to  the  haughty  of  spirit, and  with  a repentant  spirit  to  the  men  of  the  stick, 
2 those  who  point  the  finger and  speak  evil, and  are  keen  on  riches. As  for  me,  in  God  is  my  judgment; in  his  hand  is  the  perfection  of  my  path with  the  uprightness  of  my  heart; 
3 and  with  his  just  acts  he  cancels  my  sin. For  from  the  source  of  his  knowledge he  has  disclosed  his  light, and  my  eyes  have  observed  his  wonders, and  the  light  of  my  heart  the  mystery  of  the  future 
4 and  of  the  present  and  of  what  it  is  for  always. There  is  support  for  my  right  hand, the  path  of  my  steps  goes  over  firm  rock, it  does  not  waver  before  anything. For  the  truth  of  God  is  the  rock  of  my  steps, 
5 and  his  might  the  support  of  my  right  hand. From  the  spring  of  his  justice  is  my  judgment and  from  the  wonderful  mystery  is  the  light  in  my  heart. My  eyes  have  observed  what  always  is, 
6 wisdom  that  has  been  hidden  from  mankind, knowledge  and  understanding  (hidden)  from  the  sons  of  man, fount  of  justice  and  well  of  strength 
7 and  spring  of  glory  (hidden)  from  the  assembly  of  flesh. To  those  whom  God  has  selected  he  has  given  them as  everlasting  possession; until  they  inherit  them in  the  lot  of  the  holy  ones. 
8 Fie  unites  their  assembly  to  the  sons  of  the  heavens in  order  (to  form)  the  counsel  of  the  Community and  a foundation  of  the  building  of  holiness to  be  an  everlasting  plantation throughout  all  future  ages. 
9 However,  I belong  to  evil  humankind to  the  assembly  of  wicked  flesh; my  failings,  my  transgressions,  my  sins,  {...} with  the  depravities  of  my  heart, 
10  belong  to  the  assembly  of  worms and  of  those  who  walk  in  darkness. For  to  man  (does  not  belong)  his  path, nor  to  a human  being  the  steadying  of  his  step; since  judgment  belongs  to  God, 
11  and  from  his  hand  is  the  perfection  of  the  path. By  his  knowledge  everything  shall  come  into  being, and  all  that  does  exist he  establishes  with  his  calculations and  nothing  is  done  outside  of  him. As  for  me,  if  I stumble, 
12  the  mercies  of  God  shall  be  my  salvation  always; and  if  I fall  in  the  sin  of  the  flesh, in  the  justice  of  God,  which  endures  eternally,  shall  my  judgment  be; 
13  if  my  grief  commences, he  will  free  my  soul  from  the  pit and  make  my  steps  steady  on  the  path; he  will  draw  me  near  in  his  mercies, and  by  kindnesses  set  in  motion  my  judgment; 
14  he  will  judge  me  in  the  justice  of  his  truth, and  in  his  plentiful  goodness always  atone  for  all  my  sins; in  his  justice  he  will  cleanse  me from  the  uncleanness  of  the  human  being 
15  and  from  the  sin  of  the  sons  of  man, so  that  I can  extol  God  for  his  justice and  The  Highest  for  his  majesty. Blessed  be  you,  my  God, who  opens  the  heart  of  your  servant  to  knowledge! 
16  Establish  all  his  deeds  in  justice, and  raise  up  the  son  of  your  handmaid to  be  everlastingly  in  your  presence, as  you  have  cared  for  the  selected  ones  of  humankind. 
17  For  beyond  you  there  is  no  perfect  path and  without  your  will,  nothing  comes  to  be. You  have  taught  all  knowledge 
18  and  all  that  exists  is  so  by  your  will. Beyond  you  there  is  no-one to  oppose  your  counsel, to  understand  one  of  your  holy  thoughts, 
19  to  gaze  into  the  abyss  of  your  mysteries, to  fathom  all  your  marvels or  the  strength  of  your  might. 
20  Who  can  tolerate  your  glory? What,  indeed,  is  man, ;among  all  your  marvellous  deeds? 
21  As  what  shall  one  born  of  woman  be  considered in  your  presence? Shaped  from  dust  has  he  been, maggots’  food  shall  be  his  dwelling; he  is  spat  saliva, 
22  moulded  clay, and  for  dust  his  longing. What  will  the  clay  reply and  the  one  shaped  by  hand? And  what  advice  will  he  be  able  to  understand?  Blank