A
unique blasphemy case occurred in Maryland. Jacob Lumbrozo was a
Portuguese-born
physician, farmer, and trader. He early exercised his profession, and
apparently enjoyed a lucrative practice. After living for at least two years in
undisturbed quiet as a recognized Jew, and probably as a professed one, in 1658
he was arrested under the provisions of the Toleration Act of 1649, for "blasphemy" -- the denial of the doctrine of the Trinity. If found guilty, the punishment
for this crime could be up to death or the forfeiture of all lands and goods. Read the complete blog at -- http://fromonejesus.blogspot.com/2015/03/maryland-jew-tried-for-blasphemy.html
The witnesses, laying their coats at the feet of Saul, were the men that would cast the first stones at Stephen in Acts 7. Why did they all lay their coats at Saul’s feet? The Talmud contains a very interesting account of the act of stoning that may provide the answer. “When the trial was over, they take him [the condemned person] out to be stoned. The place of stoning was at a distance from the court, as it is said, ‘Take out the one who has cursed.’ [i] A man stands at the entrance of the court; in his hand is a signaling flag [Hebrew sudarin = sudar , ‘scarf, sweater’]. A horseman was stationed far away but within sight of him. If one [of the judges] says, ‘I have something [more] to say in his favor,’ he [the signaler] waves the sudarin , and the horseman runs and stops them [from stoning him]. Even if [the condemned person] himself says, ‘I have something to say in my favor,’ they bring him back, even four of five times, only provided that there is some substance to...
Comments
Post a Comment