In our discussion of ideal laws for the governance of civil society,
entertaining the thesis that there could be less than 100 general
laws/principles that take into consideration every case, (see
http://www.patriotsaints.com/LawsinZion/ )
several people have argued that the 613 laws of Judaism are the ideal and
will embody the THE LAW during the coming millennium of peace.

As I peruse the 613 laws of Judaism for the first time, I can't help but see
a good number of them that seem to me to be outright silly if not
ridiculous. I don't mean to belittle the Jewish faith, for I'm sure that
within their culture they have been able to find great richness in these.
But to expect that this millennium of peace will see these laws lived by the
entirety of mankind seems ludicrous to me -- as ludicrous as a Mormon
thinking that all the men in the millennium will wear white shirts and ties
on Sunday, and the women will baked homemade bread. Many of the laws are
more cultural and are based on extreme interpretations of the word of the
Lord.

Here is a sampling from the list of 613 that I find to fit the above
category. My comments are in [brackets]

from the website:
http://www.jewfaq.org/613.htm


14. Not to add to the commandments of the Torah, whether in the Written Law
or in its interpretation received by tradition (Deut. 13:1) (CCN159). See
Torah.
15. Not to take away from the commandments of the Torah (Deut. 13:1)
(CCN160). See Torah. [what about 'greater things' that will be given to
those who 'receive' that which they have been given?]

16. That every person shall write a scroll of the Torah for himself (Deut.
31:19) (CCA15). See Torah.
17. To circumcise the male offspring (Gen. 17:12; Lev. 12:3) (CCA47) See
Brit Milah: Circumcision.
18. To put tzitzit on the corners of clothing (Num. 15:38) (CCA10). See
Tzitzit and Tallit.
19. To bind tefillin on the head (Deut. 6:8) (CCA9). See Tefillin.
20. To bind tefillin on the arm (Deut. 6:8) (CCA8). See Tefillin.
21. To affix the mezuzah to the doorposts and gates of your house (Deut.
6:9) (CCA12). See Mezuzah.

42. To leave the unreaped corner of the field or orchard for the poor (Lev.
19:9) (affirmative) (CCI1). [good idea, but there will be no poor in the
ideal society]

56. Not to intermarry with gentiles (Deut. 7:3) (CCN19). See Interfaith
Marriages.

66. That an Ammonite or Moabite shall never marry the daughter of an
Israelite (Deut. 23:4) (negative).
67. Not to exclude a descendant of Esau from the community of Israel for
three generations (Deut. 23:8-9) (negative).
68. Not to exclude an Egyptian from the community of Israel for three
generations (Deut. 23:8-9) (negative).

75. That one who defames his wife's honor (by falsely accusing her of
unchastity before marriage) must live with her all his lifetime (Deut.
22:19) (affirmative).

79. That a widow whose husband died childless must not be married to anyone
but her deceased husband's brother (Deut. 25:5) (CCN135) (this is only in
effect insofar as it requires the procedure of release below). [ what of
love and choice?]
80. To marry the widow of a brother who has died childless (Deut. 25:5)
(this is only in effect insofar as it requires the procedure of release
below ) (CCA45).
81. That the widow formally release the brother-in-law (if he refuses to
marry her) (Deut. 25:7-9) (CCA46).

108. Not to travel on Shabbat outside the limits of one's place of residence
(Ex. 16:29) (CCN7). See Shabbat.

114. To appear in the Sanctuary on the festivals (Deut. 16:16)
(affirmative).

115-142 [the must-do, and shall-not-do minutia of the various festivals and
feasts]

143 - 169 [minutia of the dietary laws]

176. Not to take in pledge utensils used in preparing food (Deut. 24:6)
(CCN58).

187. That a hired laborer shall not eat produce that is not being harvested
(Deut. 23:26) (CCN186). [what about 'and they had all things in common'?]

190. Not to compel the Hebrew servant to do the work of a slave (Lev. 25:39)
(negative).
191. Not to sell a Hebrew servant as a slave (Lev. 25:42) (negative).
192. Not to treat a Hebrew servant rigorously (Lev. 25:43) (negative). [but
it's okay to have slaves and to treat slaves and servants that are not
Hebrew 'rigorously'?]

199. To keep the Canaanite slave forever (Lev. 25:46) (affirmative).

210 - 226 [minutia of the Sabbatical year -- some good principles, but too
rigorously defined]

263. To make a parapet for your roof (Deut. 22:8) (CCA75). See Love and
Brotherhood

etc. etc. etc.

And here are a few at the very end that I noticed and must mention too.

607. Not to offer peace to the Ammonites and the Moabites before waging war
on them, as should be done to other nations (Deut. 23:7) (negative).
608. That anyone who is unclean shall not enter the Camp of the Levites
(Deut. 23:11) (according to the Talmud, in the present day this means the
Temple mount) (CCN193).
609. To have a place outside the camp for sanitary purposes (Deut. 23:13)
(affirmative). [what about indoor plumbing?]
610. To keep that place sanitary (Deut. 23:14-15) (affirmative).
611. Always to remember what Amalek did (Deut. 25:17) (CCA76).
612. That the evil done to us by Amalek shall not be forgotten (Deut. 25:19)
(CCN194). [what about forgiveness?]
613. To destroy the seed of Amalek (Deut. 25:19) (CCA77). [wow, that's
impressive (NOT!)]

Do you really think these laws mentioned are the epitome of good for all and
that they should be binding on everyone on the planet?

I DON'T!!!!

Certainly there are good principles taught in many of these 613, but there
are nearly as many silly and foolish ones too.

Sincerely,

Sterling D. Allan