Exploring the Commandments Part 8-Welfare

For the backstory of what this blog series is on and why it has been written, check out part 1 and part 2 of the series. The original list of all 613 commandments in their textual order that I used came from the site Hebrew4Christians. <http://www.hebrew4christians.com/Articles/Taryag/taryag.html> 

 
One of the most beautiful pictures in scripture is God’s protection of those on the margins of society. God had help for them written into the laws, from leaving them produce to harvest, to caring for and not harassing those less fortunate. Debt forgiveness and charity are also vital commandments.

# 7 Commandments Concerning Protection for the Marginals: When I sorted the commandments, I came up with 42 about Protection for the Marginals.

1.    These commands deal with the poor, the needy, the widows, the orphans.

2.    We are instructed to lend, not harass, assist, and show charity to these on the margins of society (Exodus 22:21, 24-26, 23:5, Deut. 15:7)

3.    We are instructed to leave some of our work for the poor (i.e. farmers not harvest everything. We are to leave things that fall and things in the corners for the poor (Leviticus 19:9-10&14, Deut. 24:19).

4.    Workers (human and animals) should get to eat and work (Deut. 23:25, 25:4)

5.    Be nice to those at a disadvantage-i.e. deaf/blind (Lev. 19:14)

6.    We are to cancel our debts during the Sabbath Year (Deut. 15:3)

Parsons, John J.. "Taryag Mitzvot 613 Commandments of Torah." Hebrew4Christians. Web. 2004. <http://www.hebrew4christians.com/Articles/Taryag/taryag.html>.