_____________________________________
| JOB                                |
|(c) Dec 2003 RashiYomi Incorporated |
| Posting 19 of 25                   |
| Dec 16, 2003                       |
| In Memory of Abraham Hendel        |
| Translated by Dr Russell Hendel    |
--------------------------------------


FOR NEWCOMERS--ARCHIVES
------------------------
To best understand these postings you
should read the 1st posting.

Both newcomers and old-timers can find
all archives at the urls below. You will
first need a YAHOO id.

http://groups.Yahoo.com/group/RashiYomi_Job
http://groups.Yahoo.com/group/RashiYomi_Job/messages


Write RJHendel@juno.com if
you have any problems.


TODAYS POSTING
--------------
The book of Job naturally divides
into 25 units---this is the 19th. We
plan to do 8 postings in the next 2
weeks finishing the translation on
Dec 31st.

CHAPTERS 29,30,31
=================
These chapters are among the
most sublime and beautiful poetic
statements of laudable behavior in all literature
--whether prophetic or secular. In deft
stern strokes Job describes in detail
righteousness. This statement once and
for all refutes the claim of his friends
that Job is being punished for sin or inaction

People who read the book of Job often overlook
these 3 chapters. They act like Job was being
apologetic--claiming he didn't sin.

But this is directly contradicted by the book
Several portions of his statements of
righteousness have found their way into the
codes of Jewish law. Indeed any person-Jewish
or not--who desired to know what the Righteous
life is like--could read these chapters and
benefit. Job doesn't just say he is righteous--
he DOCUMENTS IT--he states things about righteousness
that only a truly righteous person would know.
Indeed, EVERY person can benefit from his
statements. It is impossible to read these
chapters, and not to copy some of them,
to change ones life. One immediately
simultaneously realizes the great righteous
person that Job was.

His righteousness is so 'ideal' as to make it
almost unreal---indeed one Talmudic viewpoint is
that Job is a fiction book--a Novel written to
illustrate a point. Be that as it may these 3
chapters are intrinsic to the book. Job was
righteous.

After this clear and convincing refutation
by Job--that his suffering was NOT for
sin or inaction--the reason for his suffering
will have to be given WITHOUT reference to
sin. This is done by Elihu.

Before commencing the translation we note
the skillful use of REPEATING KEYWORDS.
Thus Chapter 30 and Chapter 31 echo the refrain
...IF I HAVE NOT DONE SUCH AND SUCH...
15 times. This clearly divides the chapter
into 15 key areas of righteousness. Many
other such keywords occur which help give
structure to the book. Enough said---let
us translate. The list of keywords by which
the chapters are subdivided are as follows

Jb29-02 IF ONLY
Jb30-01 BUT NOW
Jb30-01 BUT NOW
Jb30-16 BUT NOW
Jb30-24 NEVERTHELESS
Jb30-25 IS IT NOT SO
Jb31-39 COMPLETE

IS IT NOT SO Jb30-25 Jb31-05 Jb31-07 Jb31-09 Jb31-13
Jb31-16 Jb31-19 Jb31-21 Jb31-24 Jb31-25 Jb31-26 Jb31-29
Jb31-33 Jb31-38 Jb31-39

The topic sentences in these 3 chapters are as
follows


----------------------------------------------------------
(JOB ROUND 2) I am righteous and respected;I help people
----------------------------------------------------------
(Jb29-02:25) In my youth I was respected and I helped people
(Jb30-01:09) But now I am surrounded by rif-rafs
(Jb30-10:15) The rif-rafs ridicule me
(Jb30-16:23) I am dying in pain
(Jb30-24:24) Though I die, my good deeds remain
---------------- THE 15 ATTRIBUTES OF JOBS RIGHTEOUSNESS-----
Jb30-25:05 HELPING THE POOR
Jb31-05:06 NO DEALS WITH THE WORTHLESS
Jb31-07:08 IN PROSPERITY, NO ADVANTAGE ON WOMEN
Jb31-09:12 NO, TO MARRIED WOMEN
Jb31-13:15 RESPECT FOR LOWER CLASS PEOPLE
Jb31-16:18 CHARITY FOR ORPHANS/WIDOWS
Jb31-19:20 GIVING THE JOBLESS COMMUNAL RESPECT
Jb31-21:23 NO COALITIONING AGAINST ORPHANS
Jb31-24:24 SOCIAL POSITION NOT BASED ON GOOD LOOKS
Jb31-25:25 SOCIAL POSITION NOT BASED ON WEALTH
Jb31-26:28 SOCIAL POSITION NOT BASED ON DREAMS
Jb31-29:32 NO REJOICING ON FALL OF ENEMIES
Jb31-33:37 NO COVER UP OF SINS
Jb31-38:38 TREAT TENANTS NICELY
Jb31-39:39 PAY WORKERS!
----------------------------------------------------------

Here are the 3 chapters

----------------------------------------------------------
(JOB ROUND 2) I am righteous and respected;I help people
----------------------------------------------------------
(Jb29-02:25) In my youth I was respected and I helped people
---------------------------------------------------
(Jb29-02) IF ONLY I COULD GET BACK...
(Jb29-02) LIKE
(Jb29-02) .....my former years
(Jb29-02) .....when God watched me
(Jb29-03) .....when Gods candle radiated on my head
(Jb29-03) .....____ I could walk thru darkness by His light
(Jb29-04) LIKE
(Jb29-04) .... the days of my engagement
(Jb29-04) .... when Gods secret dwelled in my marital tent
(Jb29-05) .... When the Almighty was still with me
(Jb29-05) .... ---- my servants surrounded me
(Jb29-06) .... ____ my footsteps were bathed in cream
(Jb29-06) .... ____ rocky paths poured oil with my (walks)
(Jb29-07) .... WHEN...
(Jb29-07) ......... I could go out to the county house
(Jb29-07) ......... My Citizenship recognized on the street
(Jb29-08) ......... RIF-RAFS who saw me, hid
(Jb29-08) ......... ELDERS ---------- got up and stood
(Jb29-09) ......... LEADERS stopped talking
(Jb29-09) ......... _______ placing their hands on their mouth
(Jb29-10) ......... THE PRESS's voice hushed
(Jb29-10) ......... _________ tongue stuck to their palates
(Jb29-11) .....WHEN
(Jb29-11) ............ those who heard of me praised me
(Jb29-11) ............ those who saw me attested me
(Jb29-12) .....BECAUSE
(Jb29-12) The SCREAMING POOR, I saved
(Jb29-12) The ORPHAN without help
(Jb29-13) The JOBLESS' blessing came on me (for my deeds)
(Jb29-13) The WIDOWS heart I gladdened
(Jb29-14) .......(because) I dressed in justice and
(Jb29-14) ................ justice dressed me
(Jb29-14) ................ LAW was like my coat and robe
(Jb29-15) ................ I was EYES to the blind
(Jb29-15) ................ I was FEET to the lame
(Jb29-16) ................ I was FATHER to the poor
(Jb29-16) .......(because)
(Jb29-16) ................ I would resolve unsolvable disputes
(Jb29-17) ................ I would destroy the molars of crooks
(Jb29-17) ................ taking the booty from his teeth
(Jb29-18) And I THOUGHT...
(Jb29-18) .......... I will die with my NEST
(Jb29-18) .......... have plenty of GOOD DAYS like sand
(Jb29-19) .......... my ROOTS will be watered
(Jb29-19) .......... my BRANCHES dewed
(Jb29-20) .......... My HONOR renewed with me
(Jb29-20) .......... My BOW replaced
(Jb29-21)
(Jb29-21) .......... To me will they listen
(Jb29-21) .......... _____ will they weight
(Jb29-22) .......... After I talk, no one will change it
(Jb29-22) .......... My words, are like rainwater to them
(Jb29-23) .......... they wait for me like waiting for dew
(Jb29-23) .......... like a mouth opening for a late rain
(Jb29-24) .......... If I crack a joke they don't believe it
(Jb29-24) .......... (because they take me so seriously)
(Jb29-25) .......... I can chose their path (for them)
(Jb29-25) .......... I can take the front seat
(Jb29-25) .......... I can dwell like a gang leader on a gang
(Jb29-25) .......... or like the eulogizer at a funeral
---------------------------------------------------------


----------------------------------------------------------
(JOB ROUND 2) I am righteous and respected;I help people
----------------------------------------------------------
(Jb30-01:09) But now I am surrounded by rif-rafs
---------------------------------------------------------
(Jb30-01) BUT NOW
(Jb30-01) ....... PEOPLE younger then me mock me
(Jb30-01) ....... ------ I would despise for even dog-watching
(Jb30-02) ....... ------ whose strength I don't need
(Jb30-02) ....... ------ to whom old age is unknown
(Jb30-03) ....... ------ living in need,starvation,kwashiorkor
(Jb30-03) ....... ------ throbbing in heat exhaustion
(Jb30-03) ....... ------ throbbing in darkness and holocausts
(Jb30-04) ....... ------ snatching onions and grass ....
(Jb30-04) ....... ------ --------- dead coals...are their lunch
(Jb30-05) ....... ------ banished from civilization
(Jb30-05) ....... ------ ...screaming after them like thieves
(Jb30-06) ....... ------ dwelling in dry river-beds
(Jb30-06) ....... ------ -------- in pits and rock-clefts
(Jb30-07) ....... ------ defecating in shrubs
(Jb30-07) ....... ------ wiping themselves with leaves
(Jb30-08) ....... ------ who are descendants of disgust
(Jb30-08) ....... ------ who are descendants of nobodies
(Jb30-08) ....... ------ stricken from society
---------------------------------------------------------



----------------------------------------------------------
(JOB ROUND 2) I am righteous and respected;I help people
----------------------------------------------------------
(Jb30-10:15) The rif-rafs ridicule me
---------------------------------------------------------


----------------------------------------------------------
(JOB ROUND 2) I am righteous and respected;I help people
----------------------------------------------------------
(Jb30-16:23) I am dying in pain
---------------------------------------------------------
(Jb30-16) BUT NOW
(Jb30-16) ....... my soul overturns on me
(Jb30-16) ....... I am gripped by poor times
(Jb30-17) ....... At night my bones dislodge(from nightmares)
(Jb30-17) ....... -------- even my veins don't rest
(Jb30-18) ....... Only with great strength can I get dressed
(Jb30-18) ....... like putting on a turtleneck
(Jb30-19) ....... I am like clay
(Jb30-19) ....... you could compare me to mortar
(Jb30-20) ....... I beg to YOU -- but You don't answer
(Jb30-20) ....... I stand(in prayer)--but You study me
(Jb30-21) ....... You act like a stranger to me
(Jb30-21) ....... You use your might to hate me
(Jb30-22) ....... You prepare me for the (DAY OF) Spirit
(Jb30-22) ....... you loosen my steadfastness
(Jb30-23) ....... For I know that death is the answer
(Jb30-23) ....... (Death is) The Holiday appointed for all living
---------------------------------------------------------

----------------------------------------------------------
(JOB ROUND 2) I am righteous and respected;I help people
----------------------------------------------------------
(Jb30-24:24) Though I die, my good deeds remain
---------------------------------------------------------
(Jb30-24) NEVERTHELESS He shall not take me in desolation
(Jb30-24) And if I do die in pestilence then
(Jb30-24) there shall still be salvation for those I helped
---------------------------------------------------------

----------------------------------------------------------
(JOB ROUND 2) I am righteous and respected;I help people
----------------------------------------------------------
---------------- THE 15 ATTRIBUTES OF JOBS RIGHTEOUSNESS-----
Jb30-25:05 HELPING THE POOR
---------------------------------------------------------
(Jb30-25) ...IS IT NOT SO
(Jb30-25) ...I have cried for those in difficult times
(Jb30-25) ...I sucked my soul for the poor
(Jb30-26) ...I hoped for good for them, but bad times came
(Jb30-26) ...I hoped for enlightenment but darkness came
(Jb30-27) ...(And then) my intestines boiled--without cessation
(Jb30-27) ...(--------) days of torture came on me
(Jb30-28) ...I walked in darkness without a smile
(Jb30-28) ...I got up; in communal gatherings; pleading to help them
(Jb30-29) ...I was their (the poors) brother in times of bereavement
(Jb30-29) ...----------------------- friend in times of screaming
(Jb30-30) ...my skinned tarnished from me
(Jb30-30) ...my bones burned from the cold
(Jb30-31) ...my music-goings were only for mourners
(Jb30-31) ...my love songs only for those who cried
(Jb31-01) ...I made a contract with my eyes
(Jb31-01) ...I wouldn't even make
(Jb31-01) ...----------eye contact with (poor) virgins
(Jb31-02) ...For if I did then
(Jb31-02) ...--- what portion could I get from God above?
(Jb31-02) ...--- ---- inheritance from the Almighty on high?
(Jb31-03) ...--- would there not be calamity if I sinned?
(Jb31-03) ...--- ------------------ estrangement if I sinned?
(Jb31-04) ...--- I knew God saw all my paths?
(Jb31-04) ...-------------- counted my footsteps?
---------------------------------------------------------

----------------------------------------------------------
(JOB ROUND 2) I am righteous and respected;I help people
----------------------------------------------------------
---------------- THE 15 ATTRIBUTES OF JOBS RIGHTEOUSNESS-----
Jb31-05:06 NO DEALS WITH THE WORTHLESS
---------------------------------------------------------
(Jb31-05) ...IS IT NOT SO
(Jb31-05) I didn't make deals with worthless people
(Jb31-05) I didn't hasten to make deals with deceitful
(Jb31-06) (SO MAY GOD TREAT ME)
(Jb31-06) May He weigh me in accurate scales
(Jb31-06) and thus know my righteousness
---------------------------------------------------------


----------------------------------------------------------
(JOB ROUND 2) I am righteous and respected;I help people
----------------------------------------------------------
---------------- THE 15 ATTRIBUTES OF JOBS RIGHTEOUSNESS-----
Jb31-07:08 IN PROSPERITY, NO ADVANTAGE ON WOMEN
---------------------------------------------------------
(Jb31-07) ...IS IT NOT SO
(Jb31-07) In prosperity I never deviated from 'the path'
(Jb31-07) ------------- I never walked after my heart
(Jb31-07) ------------- I never held hands with anybody
(Jb31-08) If I became aroused let others have her
(Jb31-08) ..thus my descendants will be known as mine
---------------------------------------------------------

----------------------------------------------------------
(JOB ROUND 2) I am righteous and respected;I help people
----------------------------------------------------------
---------------- THE 15 ATTRIBUTES OF JOBS RIGHTEOUSNESS-----
Jb31-09:12 NO, TO MARRIED WOMEN
---------------------------------------------------------
(Jb31-09) ...IS IT NOT SO
(Jb31-09) I have never been seduced by a married woman
(Jb31-09) ------------ plotted against my friend
(Jb31-10) When I fantasized on others and was elsewhere
(Jb31-10) my wife (patiently) massaged me
(Jb31-10) ------------------- made love to me
(Jb31-10) even though I was elsewhere
(Jb31-11) For if I did sin
(Jb31-11) --- it would be incest
(Jb31-11) --- ----------- an evil to be punished by courts
(Jb31-12) --------------- consuming hell itself
(Jb31-12) --------------- ruining my lineage
---------------------------------------------------------

----------------------------------------------------------
(JOB ROUND 2) I am righteous and respected;I help people
----------------------------------------------------------
---------------- THE 15 ATTRIBUTES OF JOBS RIGHTEOUSNESS-----
Jb31-13:15 RESPECT FOR LOWER CLASS PEOPLE
---------------------------------------------------------
(Jb31-13) ...IS IT NOT SO
(Jb31-13) I never despised the justice of servants/maids
(Jb31-13) when they disputed me
(Jb31-14) For if I did
(Jb31-14) what could I do
(Jb31-14) --when God arose
(Jb31-14) --when God remembered them
(Jb31-14) what could I answer him
(Jb31-15) (INDEED) The God who made me in a belly
(Jb31-15) the same God made my servants
(Jb31-15) we were both prepared in one womb
---------------------------------------------------------

----------------------------------------------------------
(JOB ROUND 2) I am righteous and respected;I help people
----------------------------------------------------------
---------------- THE 15 ATTRIBUTES OF JOBS RIGHTEOUSNESS-----
Jb31-16:18 CHARITY FOR ORPHANS/WIDOWS
---------------------------------------------------------
(Jb31-16) ...IS IT NOT SO
(Jb31-17) I never with held goods from the indigent
(Jb31-17) ------- stopped the eyes of widows
(Jb31-17) ------- ate my meal myself
(Jb31-17) ....... without orphans sharing
(Jb31-18) (For God treated me similarly)
(Jb31-18) He raised me from my youth
(Jb31-18) He gave me piece from my mothers womb
---------------------------------------------------------


----------------------------------------------------------
(JOB ROUND 2) I am righteous and respected;I help people
----------------------------------------------------------
---------------- THE 15 ATTRIBUTES OF JOBS RIGHTEOUSNESS-----
Jb31-19:20 GIVING THE JOBLESS COMMUNAL RESPECT
---------------------------------------------------------
(Jb31-19) ...IS IT NOT SO
(Jb31-19) I have never seen a jobless person without new clothes
(Jb31-20) ----------------- a poor person without coats
(Jb31-20) without blessing them with my clothes
(Jb31-20) ------- warming them with fleece-sheep clothing
---------------------------------------------------------

----------------------------------------------------------
(JOB ROUND 2) I am righteous and respected;I help people
----------------------------------------------------------
---------------- THE 15 ATTRIBUTES OF JOBS RIGHTEOUSNESS-----
Jb31-21:23 NO COALITIONING AGAINST ORPHANS
---------------------------------------------------------
(Jb31-21) ...IS IT NOT SO
(Jb31-21) I never outbidded an orphan
(Jb31-21) simply because I saw my community friends
(Jb31-22) I abstained from bidding
(Jb31-22) (literally: My hand fell from my shoulder)
(Jb31-22) (literally: my arm broken from my hand)
(Jb31-23) For I feared from the calamities of God
(Jb31-23) --- I could do nothing before his majesty
---------------------------------------------------------

----------------------------------------------------------
(JOB ROUND 2) I am righteous and respected;I help people
----------------------------------------------------------
---------------- THE 15 ATTRIBUTES OF JOBS RIGHTEOUSNESS-----
Jb31-24:24 SOCIAL POSITION NOT BASED ON GOOD LOOKS
---------------------------------------------------------
(Jb31-24) ...IS IT NOT SO
(Jb31-24) I never placed my confidence in physical radiance
(Jb31-24) ---------------------------- in good looks
---------------------------------------------------------


----------------------------------------------------------
(JOB ROUND 2) I am righteous and respected;I help people
----------------------------------------------------------
---------------- THE 15 ATTRIBUTES OF JOBS RIGHTEOUSNESS-----
Jb31-25:25 SOCIAL POSITION NOT BASED ON WEALTH
---------------------------------------------------------
(Jb31-25) ...IS IT NOT SO
(Jb31-25) I never was satisfied with alot of wealth
(Jb31-25) --------------------- with power
---------------------------------------------------------


----------------------------------------------------------
(JOB ROUND 2) I am righteous and respected;I help people
----------------------------------------------------------
---------------- THE 15 ATTRIBUTES OF JOBS RIGHTEOUSNESS-----
Jb31-26:28 SOCIAL POSITION NOT BASED ON DREAMS
---------------------------------------------------------
(Jb31-26) ...IS IT NOT SO
(Jb31-26) I never had a dream that shed light
(Jb31-26) ----------- an image with precious meaning
(Jb31-27) and let this seduce me
(Jb31-27) ------------ pat me on the back
(Jb31-28) Because that would be a punishable crime
(Jb31-28) since I would have denied God
---------------------------------------------------------



----------------------------------------------------------
(JOB ROUND 2) I am righteous and respected;I help people
----------------------------------------------------------
---------------- THE 15 ATTRIBUTES OF JOBS RIGHTEOUSNESS-----
Jb31-29:32 NO REJOICING ON FALL OF ENEMIES
---------------------------------------------------------
(Jb31-29) ...IS IT NOT SO
(Jb31-29) ...I never was happy at the calamity of my enemy
(Jb31-29) ...----------- aroused when bad times befell him
(Jb31-30) ...----------- sinned with my mouth
(Jb31-30) ...----------- cursed him in my heart
(Jb31-31) For indeed, even my staff did not say
(Jb31-31) 'Let us eat him alive'
(Jb31-32) (RATHER) No stranger was left outside
(Jb31-32) I opened my doors to passerbys
---------------------------------------------------------



----------------------------------------------------------
(JOB ROUND 2) I am righteous and respected;I help people
----------------------------------------------------------
---------------- THE 15 ATTRIBUTES OF JOBS RIGHTEOUSNESS-----
Jb31-33:37 NO COVER UP OF SINS
---------------------------------------------------------
(Jb31-33) ...IS IT NOT SO
(Jb31-33) I never covered up(like others) my sins
(Jb31-33) ------- concealed my iniquity because of debts
(Jb31-34) Because I rattled from the masses
(Jb31-34) --------- frightened from disgrace
(Jb31-34) (If I did sin when in debt then)
(Jb31-34) I (rather) was silent--never going out
(Jb31-35) Why doesn't someone listen to me?
(Jb31-35) Isn't this what I was known for
(Jb31-35) The Almighty Himself will so testify
(Jb31-35) My worst enemies will documen't it
(Jb31-36) I carry this attribute on my shoulders
(Jb31-36) It is the crown of my personality
(Jb31-37) I can tell you all the sidestepping I have done
(Jb31-37) Like delicious proverbs these stories are close to me
---------------------------------------------------------


----------------------------------------------------------
(JOB ROUND 2) I am righteous and respected;I help people
----------------------------------------------------------
---------------- THE 15 ATTRIBUTES OF JOBS RIGHTEOUSNESS-----
Jb31-38:38 TREAT TENANTS NICELY
---------------------------------------------------------
(Jb31-38) ...IS IT NOT SO
(Jb31-38) My real estate never cried against me
(Jb31-38) Her furrows never united against me
---------------------------------------------------------


----------------------------------------------------------
(JOB ROUND 2) I am righteous and respected;I help people
----------------------------------------------------------
---------------- THE 15 ATTRIBUTES OF JOBS RIGHTEOUSNESS-----
Jb31-39:39 PAY WORKERS!
---------------------------------------------------------
(Jb31-39) ...IS IT NOT SO
(Jb31-39) I never tasted the yield of real estate without pay
(Jb31-39) ------- let those running it sigh
(Jb31-39) (For if I couldn't pay)
(Jb31-39) I rather let thorns replace her wheat
(Jb31-39) ------------ rot, replace her barley
---------------------------------------------------------



---------------------------------------------------------
(Jb31-39) The defense of Job is complete!
---------------------------------------------------------