Welcome to my Hebrew reading & language series.

Genesis 38:21-27

source

We left off last week with the story of Judah "gettin' some" as it were. He had sent someone to pay the woman for her services. Now, he is hearing the story of how there is no prostitute that hangs out where you said she was and they said there never has been. Judah basically said, "Oh well, we tried to pay her..." but do not quote me quoting him as saying it like that.

Time goes by and Judah finds out that his twice widowed daughter in-law is pregnant. Yes, the one he had kept waiting for a child by his own son. Now comes the part about the pot calling the kettle black...

Judah orders that she be brought out and orders her to be burned. I guess she was cheating on her two dead husbands. But Tamar has been holding the trump card and quietly sends word to Judah identifying the man who got her pregnant by his pledge for payment - Judah's own staff and signet!

Judah admits that he himself is the bigger sinner and drops all punishment of Tamar. I agree because while Tamar was cheating on a dead husband, Judah had cheated on his own wife and ended up fulfilling the role that his son should have done - according to the law.

Throughout history, women have been held to a higher moral standard than men have. This case put one man in his place.

Reminds me of a classic song that goes, "Before you accuse me, take a look at yourself."

Today's reading

English

And he asked the men of the place, "Where is the cult prostitute ' who was at Enaim at the roadside?" And they said, "No cult prostitute has been here." So he returned to Judah and said, "I have not found her. Also, the men of the place said, 'No cult prostitute has been here.' " And Judah replied, "Let her keep the things as her own, or we shall be laughed at. You see, I sent this young goat, and you did not find her."

About three months later Judah was told, "Tamar your daughter-in- law has been immoral. Moreover, she is pregnant by immorality." And Judah said, "Bring her out, and let her be burned." As she was being brought out, she sent word to her father-in-law, "By the man to whom these belong, I am pregnant." And she said, "Please identify whose these are, the signet and the cord and the staff." Then Judah identified them and said, "She is more righteous than I, since I did not give her to my son Shelah." And he did not know her again.

Hebrew

The story continues next week as Judah has twins on the way...

Info on each letter starting at the beginning

If you are just starting, my lessons are all here starting at Alef, adding vowels (the dots and lines) as we go. I explain the meaning of each letter and its numerical value. Just go to my blog and scroll to the bottom or click here

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Thanks for reading.

Shabbat Shalom