February 18

What is considered to be pure or impure can vary from culture to culture. Purity is symbolic. In my opinion, there is nothing that is truly “pure” on Earth. Purity can range anywhere from clean water to good hygiene to having a “pure”or good soul. Purity can be used in a way to govern communities through tradition. Purity is everything that is in place according to Douglas. Impurity is also symbolic in the same way that purity is. Impurity can be dirty water to blood to committing bad deeds. Impurity can separate a community based off of the norms given to the people by the “ruler.”  Impurity is everything that is out of place according to Douglas. God requires the maintenance of purity because God himself is the purest object. We strive to be pure to be more like God and to be more in communion with him. Impurity is sinning and going against God’s rules, so maintaining purity is very important, especially in Leviticus, because God wants to be close to His people so He can help them if they follow His rules. Douglas says that “men prosper by conforming to holiness and perish when they deviate from it.” We saw this happen with Noah and the Ark. When the humans misbehaved he sent the flood to wipe them out, except for Noah who was abiding by God’s principles. The logic of the laws we encounter related to purity is wholeness to signify completeness on a social level and to set new standards for what is expected of God’s people. The food laws especially signify this with the purification of the animal before consumption and since food is meant to be consumed with others, it allows for people to hold each other accountable for the preparation of the animals. It was also to set new standards for God’s people, there was a level of trust meant to be shared between God and His people and these laws help guide people to the right track.