Dear Oren,

This is a good example of the customs of the religious people, who try to drag proofs of “the Torah’s veracity” from anything that comes to hand, all to strengthen their weak faith.

Instead of talking about the 613 commandments themselves, whether they are moral and relevant, they bring the seeds of the pomegranate as “proof” that there are 613 commandments. What does it matter how many pomegranate seeds there are when talking about the despicable commandments? We will bring a number of examples from Sefer HaChinuch (a book written in the 13th century which enumerates the 613 commandments in order of appearance in the Bible) so you can decide if the pomegranate seeds can purify the disgusting things:



1. That one who rapes a virgin maiden was commanded that he is to take her for a wife, for it is written “and she shall be his wife” [Deuteronomy 22:29] and he is to give her father fifty [shekels of] silver. (Commandment 557)

2. That we are commanded to require interest from the nations when we lend to them, which is not the case for Jews. We should not lend to them without interest, as is written, “To a foreigner you shall lend on interest” [Deuteronomy 23:21]. (Commandment 573)

3. Not to have carnal connection with males, for it is stated, “And with a male you shall not lie carnally as with a woman, it is an abomination” [Leviticus 18:22). The punishment is stoning. (Commandment 209)

4. Not to turn to an idol in thought or speech, or even by looking alone…not only any thought of idolatry is forbidden, but any conception that causes a man to uproot something from the Torah (commandment 213).



A person who accepts the liberal values of the modern age must fight the old world values of racism and discrimination which hide behind the skirts of “sanctity and divinity” or hang himself on the seeds of the pomegranate. This is the way of religious people. Even they don’t accept their own words and they hang themselves on words of secrecy, the hidden, holiness and pomegranate seeds, ignoring the values themselves, holding that one should “look at the vessel and not what is in it.”



Sincerely,



Daat Emet