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Writing this as a Messianic Jew, just thought I'd give a little information:
Please don't take this as preaching, prostletyzing, etc.
1. It is called a Naziri vow and not a Nazarite vow, it has nothing to do with the town of Nazareth.
2. The lesson can be found starting in Shof'tim (Judges) 13.
3. The Naziri vow does forbid cutting of the hair during the period of the vow, as well as abstaining from wine, grapes, and any products of the grape.
4. It also includes drinking any intoxicating drink (beer, mead, really good scotch, etc.)
5. An angel appeared to Shimshon's (Samson) parents before he was conceived, and his mother too was not allowed to drink or touch grapes. Therefor he was marked as holy preconception.
6. Shimshon's mother had been barren up to this point.
7. This makes Shimshon the first fruit, which would be offered and made holy (Kadosh- to seperate) unto Adonai.
8. Shimshon's strength was from G-d, making him holy. His hair was but a symbol of this vow.
9. Note that Shimshon was a most unlawful (i.e. unholy) as he was a huge womanizer (known to have been with prostitutes) and married outside the faith (wife: Timnah)
10. Shimshon took the vow lightly, and this was his downfall.
11. When his hair was shaved, it thus ended the symbol of the Naziri vow, and his holiness (remember means to be seperated).
12. Ironically, Shimshon only is recorded having prayed once, and that was to kill his enemies on the day of his own death.
Again, just a quick Torah lesson from the preacher. No flames necessary. I'm not here to "shove the dove"
Shalom
Mattityahu
Thanks a lot for the lesson, my friend. I can always stand to learn more and more. But hang tight, dude, for the flames will probably start flying any time now...
Hopefully not, I was just trying to get the fact straight not working conversions here. Besides it WAS a longhair issue. Many of my friends think that I am growing my hair out because I have taken a Nazir vow, but I have to be honest with them....I like Cabernet too much for that!
Shalom.
....he..he
......but I learned quite a lot!
That was great! Thanks for the explanation, it was very informative. The only question I have is why did you type "G-d" instead of "God"? I've noticed this in other places to. Is this some type of politically correct thing to do?
As a Jew we take very literally the commandment not to take his name in vain, which includes in writing. Thus you will usually see G-d,
L-rd, etc. Unless we use specific names such as Adonai, HaShem, etc.
Oh ok, thank you so much. Pardon my ignorance.
....so basically, the short answer is...
....Samson's (Shimshon's) STRENGTH was NOT because he was a LONGHair...
....but because a vow was broken? Hmmmmm, guess that answers the question!
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