Sinai & The Law

ADONAI said to Moshe, "Here is what you are to say to the people of Isra'el: 'You yourselves have seen that I spoke with you from heaven.

You are not to make with me gods of silver, nor are you to make gods of gold for yourselves. (S: Maftir)

For me you need make only an altar of earth; on it you will sacrifice your burnt offerings, peace offerings, sheep, goats and cattle. In every place where I cause my name to be mentioned, I will come to you and bless you.

If you do make me an altar of stone, you are not to build it of cut stones; for if you use a tool on it, you profane it.

Likewise, you are not to use steps to go up to my altar; so that you won't be indecently uncovered.'"

"These are the rulings you are to present to them:

"If you purchase a Hebrew slave, he is to work six years; but in the seventh, he is to be given his freedom without having to pay anything.

If he came single, he is to leave single; if he was married when he came, his wife is to go with him when he leaves.

But if his master gave him a wife, and she bore him sons or daughters, then the wife and her children will belong to her master, and he will leave by himself.

Nevertheless, if the slave declares, 'I love my master, my wife and my children, so I don't want to go free,'

then his master is to bring him before God; and there at the door or doorpost, his master is to pierce his ear with an awl; and the man will be his slave for life.

"If a man sells his daughter as a slave, she is not to go free like the men-slaves.

If her master married her but decides she no longer pleases him, then he is to allow her to be redeemed. He is not allowed to sell her to a foreign people, because he has treated her unfairly.

If he has her marry his son, then he is to treat her like a daughter.

If he marries another wife, he is not to reduce her food, clothing or marital rights.

If he fails to provide her with these three things, she is to be given her freedom without having to pay anything.

"Whoever attacks a person and causes his death must be put to death.

If it was not premeditated but an act of God, then I will designate for you a place to which he can flee.

But if someone willfully kills another after deliberate planning, you are to take him even from my altar and put him to death.

"Whoever attacks his father or mother must be put to death.

"Whoever kidnaps someone must be put to death, regardless of whether he has already sold him or the person is found still in his possession.

"Whoever curses his father or mother must be put to death.

"If two people fight, and one hits the other with a stone or with his fist, and the injured party doesn't die but is confined to his bed;

then, if he recovers enough to be able to walk around outside, even if with a cane, the attacker will be free of liability, except to compensate him for his loss of time and take responsibility for his care until his recovery is complete.

"If a person beats his male or female slave with a stick so severely that he dies, he is to be punished;