Fire on the Mountain

Selections from Shemot/Names in Mishpatim Ex. 21.1-24.18

Early in the morning set an altar at the foot of the mountain

Rise early to pray and meditate

Listen to my prophets, follow their words. My name is in them

Take on my teachings and you’re invincible

Be responsible and impeccable with one another

Be very considerate of pregnant women

Don’t boil a kid in its mother’s milk (Don’t hurt or eat animals)

Don’t bow and worship other gods nor become fascinated

Don’t honor or chase after fame, power, sex or wealth

An eye for an eye (karma, we get what we give)

Let all slaves go free (See your bondage and walk away)

Honor your parents (with an honorable life)

Don’t oppress foreigners; you know how it feels to be one

Don’t take bribes for they blind one of clear perception

Don’t lend your voice falsely to the majority or the influential

Nor always favor the poor in dispute (always stand for justice)

If someone’s donkey (body) is fallen down from burden

Even if it’s an adversary, don’t refrain from raising him up

Don’t come before God empty-handed. Give the best you got

Don’t offer any sacrifices to me with leavening (with pride) 

Offer burnt offering (our suffering and self-discipline)

This is uplifting. And offer our selves -- our life and blood

Don’t leave the fat of the offering lying uneaten

What God gives you accept immediately -- without question

In this way you re-enter the Covenant

God sends an angel before us to guard us along the way

And to bring us to the place (makom) made ready for us

The appearance of the glory of God is like a devouring fire

On a mountaintop as seen by those looking for reality