Also called a Nazarite, refers to one who
voluntarily took a vow. The Hebrew word
“Nazir” means consecrated or separated.
The vow requires them to abstain from wine, wine vinegar, grapes,
raisins, intoxicating liquors, vinegar distilled from such substances, and
eating or drinking any substance that contains any trace of grapes. It also required them to refrain from cutting
their hair and not become ritually impure by having contact with a corpse or
grace of a family member. After
following these requirements for a specified period of time, they would immerse
in a mikveh (ritual bath) and make three offerings; a lamb (burnt), a ewe (sin)
and a ram (peace). Their heads were
shaved in the outer court of the Temple in Jerusalem and add their hair to the
ram peace offering.
Is the Nazir applicable today? No.
Because no Temple is in place to complete the vow process. For this reason, *** asterisks have been
placed by them. Although the Israelites
are scattered and the Jerusalem Temple is no longer, the purpose of the Nazir
was to consecrate themselves in an outstanding or unusual manner for the Most
High. It was a personal decision. The rules they followed during this time
period resembled those followed by the Priest.
Their sanctity actually was to exceed that of the High Priest. Priests were prohibited from drinking alcohol
only before going on duty in the tabernacle (Lev. 10:9) but Nazarites were
forbidden to consume any produce of the vine at any time. Their devotion very much symbolized the holy
calling of the nation (Jer. 7:29). They
were the epitome of sanctity. The Commandments regarding the Nazir are found
below.
***Law #217 The Nazir must let his hair grow
Num. 6:5 “All the days of the vow of his separation there
shall no razor come upon his head: until the days be fulfilled, in the which he
separates himself unto the Most High, he shall be holy, and shall let the locks
of the hair of his head grow.”
According to Maimonide’s List, the Commandment is for the
Nazir to let his hair grow.
Letting the hair grow signified an increase of virtue or grace,
as with Samson’s strength, which increased when his hair was not cut. While Israelites were not obligated to grow
long hair regularly, they may decide to as a symbol of grace, strength and
virtue.
*Law #218 He must not cut his hair
Num. 6:5 “All the days of the vow of his separation there
shall no razor come upon his head: until the days be fulfilled, in the which he
separates himself unto the Most High, he shall be holy, and shall let the locks
of the hair of his head grow.”
According to Maimonide’s List, the Commandment is for the
Nazir not to cut his hair. This is a
repeat of Law #217, as letting the hair grow obviously requires them to not cut
it. It was extracted from the same
verse. Therefore, it must be
omitted.
***Law #219 He must not drink wine, wine mixtures, or wine
vinegar
Num. 6:3 “He shall separate himself from wine and strong
drink, and shall drink no vinegar of wine or vinegar of strong drink, neither
shall he drink any liquor of grapes, nor eat moist grapes or dried.”
According to Maimonide’s List, the Law is for the Nazir not
to drink wine, wine mixtures or wine vinegar.
***Law #220 He must not eat fresh grapes
Num 6:3 “He shall separate himself from wine and strong
drink, and shall drink no vinegar of wine or vinegar of strong drink, neither
shall he drink any liquor of grapes, nor eat moist grapes or dried.”
According to Maimonide’s List, the Law is for the Nazir not to
eat fresh grapes.
***Law #221 He must not eat raisins
Num. 6:3 “He shall separate himself from wine and strong
drink, and shall drink no vinegar of wine or vinegar of strong drink, neither
shall he drink any liquor of grapes, nor eat moist grapes or dried.”
According to Maimonide’s List, the Law is for the Nazir to
not eat raisins
***Law #222 He must not eat grape seeds
Num. 6:4 “All the days of his separation shall he eat
nothing that is made of the vine tree, from the kernels even to the husk.”
According to Maimonide’s List, the Law is for the Nazir not
to eat grape seeds.
***Law #223 He must not eat grape skins
Num. 6:4 “All the days of his separation shall he eat
nothing that is made of the vine tree, from the kernels even to the husk.”
According to Maimonide’s List, the Law is for the Nazir not
to eat grape skins.
***Law #224 He must not be under the same roof as a corpse
Num. 6:6 “All the days that he separates himself unto the
Most High he shall come at no dead body.”
According to Maimonide’s List, the Command is for the Nazir
not to be under the same roof as a corpse.
***Law #225 He must not come into contact with the dead
Num. 6:7 “He shall not make himself unclean for his father,
or for his mother, for his brother, or for his sister, when they die: because the
consecration of the Most High is upon his head.”
According to Maimonides, the Command again, is for the Nazir
to not come into contact with the dead. This is a repeat of Law #224 according
to Num. 6:6. Verse 7 only further
explains the reason behind the Commandment; to not make himself unclean. This Law should be omitted, as it repeats Law
#224. It is the 49th of its
kind.
***/**Law #226 He must shave after bringing sacrifices upon
completion of his Nazarite period
Num. 6:9 “And if any man die very suddenly by him, and he
hath defiled the head of his consecration; then he shall shave his head in the
day of his cleansing, on the seventh day shall he shave it.
The Command is for the Nazir to shave their
heads after bringing sacrifices upon completion of his Nazirite period. However, this command is not found in verse 9
but in verse 18. The scriptural reference
must be changed for accuracy.
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