Before you listen and study part 2 of lesson 1 on Leviticus you MUST study and listen to part 1. It is the foundation and part 1 and 2 both help us understand key aspects of Leviticus that make it more than relevant for us today in the 21st century. Here’s the link … https://lightofmenorah.podbean.com/e/leviticus-lesson-1-part-1-introduction/?token=bd9a68b4093962bb33ed1a825886d98b I did A.I. searches on aspects of the priesthood of the ancient Babylonians, Assyrians, and Egyptians. Below is a summary of these searches. _____________________________________________________________________________________________________ BABYLON The primary leadership roles included the head priest (Urigallu), ritual exorcists (Ashipu), lamentation singers (Kalû or Gala), and administrative overseers (Sangha). Leadership and Administrative Priests Urigallu: The supreme head of the temple priesthood who directed major seasonal rites, temple music, and rituals. Sangha (Shangu): High administrators or general sacrificers responsible for managing temple properties, finances, and secular-religious operations. Ashipu: Exorcists and sorcerers who used magical rites and spells to ward off demons, curses, and sickness. Asu: Temple physicians who combined herbal remedies with magical incantations to treat physical ailments. Kalû (Gala): Specialized lamentation singers and musicians who performed soothing ritual wails and songs to appease deities like Inanna. Barû: Seers and diviners who predicted future events by interpreting omens, animal entrails, and dreams. ASSYRIA In ancient Assyrian religion, the king acted as the supreme high priest (šangû) of the national god Aššur. Within the physical temples, specialized scholarly priests managed rituals, healing, and divine maintenance. They belonged to the ērib bīti ("those who enter the temple") class. Major Priestly Roles Šangû: The standard administrative priest or sacrificer who oversaw temple property, maintenance, and regular offerings. Āšipu (Exorcist / Incantation Priest): Specialized in magic, healing, medical-spiritual care, and driving away evil demons or reversing bad omens. Kalû (Lamentation Priest): Chanted soothing prayers and musical liturgies in the Emesal dialect to calm the hearts of angry gods. Bārû (Diviner / Haruspex): Read the future and determined divine will by inspecting sheep livers (extispicy) or observing astrological signs. Išippu (Purification Priest): Handled sacred cleansing rites, including the critical "mouth washing" (mīs pî) ceremony used to consecrate and animate divine statues. EGYPT CHECK OUT THESE WEBSITES … https://www.egypttoursportal.com/en-us/blog/ancient-egyptian-civilization/ancient-egyptian-priests/ https://www.worldhistory.org/article/1026/clergy-priests--priestesses-in-ancient-egypt/ Ancient Egypt had a structured priesthood where individuals were called hem-netjer ("servant of the god"). Most served part-time in monthly rotations and their main function is to care for the god or gods. The hierarchy ranged from the pharaoh—the ultimate high priest—down to purification staff, encompassing specialized roles for daily worship, funerals, and temple administration. High-Ranking Priests First Prophet (High Priest): The top administrator of a specific major temple, such as the High Priest of Amun at Karnak, holding immense political and economic power. Sem Priests: Specialized funerary priests who wore leopard skins and presided over the "Opening of the Mouth" ceremony during burials. Specialized Ritual Priests Lector Priests (Reader Priests): Scholars who carried papyrus scrolls and chanted magical spells, hymns, and liturgical texts during temple rituals and funerals. Wab Priests (Pure Priests): The foundational rank of everyday priests responsible for physical washing, carrying the god's shrine, and handling daily food offerings. Hour Watchers (Astronomer Priests): Specialists who tracked the stars and time to determine the precise hours for nocturnal and dawn religious rituals. _________________________________________________________ In this lesson we talked about repentance and revival. I mentioned an article by Franklin Graham where he suggests that before revival must be preceded by repentance. Here’s the link to that awesome article you MUST read. https://billygraham.org/decision-magazine/articles/franklin-graham-repentance-brings-revival I thought you might be interested in Rabbi Eliezer’s statement to his talmideem, his disciples, to repent one day before you die. When his students asked how anyone could know the exact day of death, he answered that a person should therefore repent every single day, living each day as if it were the last. The Core Dialogue The Statement: Rabbi Eliezer taught, "Repent one day before your death" . The Question: His disciples asked, "Does a man know on which day he will die?" The Answer: He replied, "All the more reason to repent today, lest you die tomorrow. Thus, all your days are spent in repentance." In other words you “live again” with a focus on turning to God continually. Check out these awesome websites that will add to our understanding … [1] https://www.sefaria.org/sheets/190053 [2] https://jewishvirtuallibrary.org/repentance [3] https://www.bridgesforpeace.com/products/repent-the-day-before-you-die Rev. Ferret - who is this guy? (John - teaching at the Great Pyramids Giza, Egypt) What's his background? Why should I listen to him? Check his background at this link - https://www.dropbox.com/s/ortnret3oxcicu4/BackgrndTeacher%20mar%2025%202020.pdf?dl=0
