HIDDEN LDS/JEWISH
INSIGHTS #34
DOCTRINE & COVENANTS Gospel Doctrine Supplement by Daniel Rona
Weekly E-mail Reminder
<< FAITH IN EVERY FOOTSTEP >>
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(1.) Developing a Culture of Nationhood:
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When nations begin to "gather," there evolves a certain culture. First, the spirit of commitment is challenged by hardships and
rejection long before the new society begins to mature and be
accepted by others. Secondly, because of true faith in the Lord, the
Children of Israel, anciently and in modern times did not and do not
let the hardships and the sometimes violent rejection get in the way
of pursuing their faith identified goals. Third, a constant support
mechanism is used to reinforce and strengthen those faith-identified
goals.
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(2.) Dancing, Singing and Music:
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"In the communal and religious life of the Jewish people, dance was
always regarded as an expression of joy and religious ecstasy. Ecclesiastes wrote: `. . . a time to dance' (3:1, 4). The Bible
tells of Miriam and the women dancing to celebrate the crossing of
the Red Sea. When Jephtah's father came home victorious from battle,
Jephtah welcomed him with dances. King David, when he placed the
Holy Ark in Shiloh, danced and leaped before the Lord with all his
might." (Encyclopedia Judaica, Jr.)
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(3.) David the Musician:
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"Traditionally, authorship of the book of Psalms has been ascribed to
King David . . . the association of King David with Psalms rests on
strong, ancient traditions. Moreover, in other books of the Bible
David appears as a skillful player on the lyre, as an inventor of
musical instruments and as a composer of dirges, and is described in
one place as the `sweet singer of Israel.' (Encyclopedia Judaica,
Jr.)
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(4.) Prayers must Be Sung:
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It should be noted that reading scriptures and praying are to be done
in a singing or chanting way to differentiate the common everyday
sounds of the mouth with the Word of the Lord or words to the Lord. A pattern of singing has developed that puts emphasis on particular
syllables and words. When a boy has a Bar Mitzvah, he is accompanied
by a person who may prompt him to sing his words correctly while
making sure that his clothing, cap, robe, sash, etc. is worn
correctly.