Corpus-Paul

[Bob MacDonald <bobmacdonald AT shaw.ca>]

Dear Hyam

A month ago you wrote: >>However, there is no mystique in Judaism about the
blood of circumcision, which does not figure in any rite, whether in the
Temple or outside it.  There is a legend, however (as pointed out by
Lawrence Hoffman in his COVENANT OF BLOOD, p. 100) that blood of
circumcision played a part in the exemption of the Israelites from the tenth
plague of Egypt.  This legend, however, appears only in one rather late
source, Pirqei de-Rabbi Eliezer, which also sees redemption from sins as
resulting from the first circumcision, that of Abraham.
>>

Now I have read this remarkable book and re-read Hoffman's arguments for
showing significant dominant symbolism in circumcision and in the seder of
wine as blood. I find his arguments and reasonings very compelling.

In chapter 6 Wine, Blood, and Salvation in Rabbinic Judaism, he traces the
Pirqei deRabbi Eliezar to earlier roots. I think he conclusively shows that
wine is a dominant symbol of blood in both Babylon and Palestine of the
first century.

This would agree with accounts I have read of a resettling of Palestine from
Babylon (150-100 BCE) especially in the area of Nazareth. (Pixner as I
recall has suggested this as well as influence of Nazirites from Babylon
having an influence within the family of Jesus). This would lead me to think
that a circumcision ritual similar to what Hoffman details could have been a
reality in Palestine at the time of Jesus youth - he may even have attended
some in the silent years.

In other words, the symbolism of wine as blood and the symbolic drinking of
the blood by Mohel, Infant, and the attending ne'arim is potentially current
in Judaism before the death of Jesus. Similarly the wine of the seder points
to the blood of the Passover lamb.

I have written of this briefly in an article under 'unpacking the liturgy'
accessible from my home page.
http://bmd.gx.ca/understanding_the_content_of_wor.htm

Bob

mailto::BobMacDonald AT shaw.ca
+ + + Victoria, B.C., Canada + + +

Catch the foxes for us,
   the little foxes that make havoc of the vineyards,
for our vineyards are in flower.   (Song 2.15)
http://bobmacdonald.gx.ca