reasons for religious practices (was Re: penile cancer)

[Guest guest]

I saw something on TV recently where some scientists were

> trying to find the 'causes' of the plagues that Moses

> brought on the Egyptians, which in passing also explained

> some of the dietary and other Jewish laws. I didn't know

> that once your house gets a little damp in it, you're

> supposed to burn it down, for example. OK, I'm sure that's

> not how it's done anymore, but it's in there somewhere.

>

> Phyllis

At the risk of opening my big mouth again, I think what you are

referring to isn't damp, but leprosy. The biblical leprosy, which no

longer exists at all, isn't the same as the disease we know today, but

considered a divine punishment, whether against a person's body,

his clothes or his house. It was a sign that God was displeased and

the person had to mend his ways, and spend 7 days outside the

encampment till he was cured. I think the house had to be destroyed,

yes.

Ruthie ((