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HIDDEN LDS/JEWISH
INSIGHTS #20
DOCTRINE & COVENANTS Gospel Doctrine Supplement by
Daniel Rona
Weekly E-mail Reminder
<< THE KINGDOMS OF GLORY >>
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(1.) "Heaven and Hell:"
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Even though there is little discussion of after life among the Jews, heaven and
hell appear in much Jewish commentary. "The souls of the righteous enter
paradise . . . `there is no eating or drinking . . . no envy, hatred or
competition . . . the souls of the wicked enter hell . . . where they undergo
purification before they too can enter paradise . . . not longer than 11 months
. . . permanent in the case of exceedingly wicked . . . (Encyclopedia
Judaica Jr.)
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(2.) An Image of Heavenly Living:
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The pattern of living in the "City of our Lord" (Isaiah 60:14) can be
seen in Israelite dwelling places such as tents with their poles (stakes) and
curtains that may represent the organized facilities and order of heaven. The
families were on the outside; the priests (Levites) were next. They surrounded
the holiest place (the Ark) where the Lord's prophet communed with God. It may
be likened to the terms telestial, terrestrial and celestial. ". . . the
Tabernacle was erected at the very center of the camp . . . it was through the
Tabernacle that they felt their connection with God." (Encyclopedia Judaica
Jr.)
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(3.) Original Use of "Stakes:"
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Is it possible that the areas of responsibility and assigned living were
"staked" out with stakes, poles or standards that identified the living areas?
"The Lord spoke to Moses and Aaron saying `The Israelites shall camp each with
his standard under the banners of their ancestral house' (Numbers 2:2).
The standards borne by the 12 tribes served the same purpose as heraldic
devices." (Encyclopedia Judaica Jr.) Each Tribe had colors and
emblems as ensigns.
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(4.) Curtains Between Posts:
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In the ancient days, the inner two courtyards were draped or had curtains draped
between the stakes or poles and cords so that the sacredness and dignity of the
priestly area and the Lord's habitation were maintained. "Look upon Zion, the
city of our solemnities: thine eyes shall see Jerusalem a quiet habitation, a
tabernacle that shall not be taken down; not one of the stakes thereof shall
ever be removed, neither shall any of the cords thereof be broken." (Isaiah
33:20)
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(5.) "Stakes of Zion:"
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This latter-day organizational unit may have the same purpose in reminding us to
live in dignity and sacredness and commune with God as a community. "Until the
day cometh when there is found no more room for them; and then I have other
places which I will appoint unto them, and they shall be called stakes, for the
curtains or the strength of Zion." (Doctrine & Covenants 101:21)
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(6.) Jewish Marriage and "Stakes:"
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When Jews marry, a `Huppah' is used. It is a remnant of the ancient temple
garments, a Tallit, supported by four poles or stakes! "Today, the term huppah
refers to the decorative canopy
under which the wedding ceremony is performed . . . the Talmud relates that
there was an ancient custom to make staves of the huppah from a cedar and a pine
tree planted specifically for this purpose at the birth of a male and female
child respectively. In medieval France, it was customary for the groom to cover
the bride's head with his tallit as a symbol of sheltering her"
(Encyclopedia Judaica Jr.)
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(7.) His House, His Kingdom, Heals:
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Another name for the Lord is Water or Living Water. The name for heaven in
Hebrew is "Shamayim." It means, "from the waters!" Water comes from heaven and
so does the Lord. There are many images of water used in the scriptures that
can be connected to Him. For example, water coming from the temple to heal the
Dead Sea is a metaphor of the Lord coming from his abode, heaven (the temple,
after all, is His house-a part of heaven on earth), to heal all the imbalances
of the world.
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