Assuming that some of my readers probably don't know what these are, I'm going to present a simple description in heathen terms, so please bear with me. I cannot get started with the real reason I've chosen today's topic until I've said some (or a lot of) things before I get to the point. This has all the makings of a long-winded post, so you may want to come back at bedtime.
Let me begin by saying I don't know much about the Jewish culture; the extremely little I know of it is from the Old Testament in the Bible. More than a few people have asked me why the Old Testament is not about Christians, so I feel the need to quickly state that this is because Jesus Christ came into the picture in the New Testament. Now Christians are "Little Christs", so no Christ, no Christians. Also, the Old Testament is about Jews not because they didn't have anything else to talk about (since no Christ, no Christians) but because Jesus was born a Jew according to the prophecies and promises. I'll take this opportunity to say I really don't understand Jew-hating Christians. I know it sounds complicated, but it's really not. If I get into this now I will get to the U&T some time next year.
So I'll come back to the U&T right away. I shall refer to these as is said (or more appropriately, what I've read) of them in the ancient texts immortalized by the founders of my faith. These two were objects (either stones or sticks) carried by the high priest; they were literally held close to their hearts (kept in the breastplate, which formed a part of a very elaborate priestly attire). The U&T were used to determine the will of God in serious life-and-death matters; in contemporary speak, they helped in decision-making.
Simply put, the high priest would inquire of God's will and then draw one of these out in answer. Naturally the inquiry was made in terms of Yes/ No questions and not essay-type or multiple choice ones. If you read the Old Testament, you will find it full of such simple and delightful concepts, some of which (like the U&T) I try to apply today.
(Notification: The real reason for this post starts here)
I have always held a wide-eyed fascination for the U&T. The New Testament eliminates the need for using these on account of various theologically sound reasons. Basically life-and-death type serious matters can be discussed directly with God, so I won't get into that here.
But we do live in the age of supreme peer pressure, absolute cluelessness and the consequences of too many mirrors and other reflective surfaces. We need constant guidance from people wiser and happier than ourselves to help us get on with life from time to time. One can bring smaller matters before God as well, but then the ultimate question arises: what are other people here for then?
I often come across magnanimous dilemmas like whether to wear pink or blue, to go out or to take a nap, to eat steak or prime ribs, to drink sweet lime or watermelon juice, to laugh or cry at bad jokes, etc. My modern day U&T, i.e. fore and middle fingers of my right hand, solve these for me in a jiffy. I delegate an option (in my mind, obviously) to each of these and let somebody else choose a finger. I have found that this works best with strangers, because Fatty and my close friends have learnt to manipulate my decisions now.
Sometimes I throw my ring finger in (not literally) when there are greater variables. This method of decision-making is foolproof for up to 20 variables, if you can manage to remember (or note down) one variable corresponding to each finger and toe. If you're ambitious and assertive you can get others to volunteer their fingers and toes too, but if you have so many things to choose from you ought to leave it for later and take a nap first.
- U for Urim and Thummim (My A to Z Challenge)
Let me begin by saying I don't know much about the Jewish culture; the extremely little I know of it is from the Old Testament in the Bible. More than a few people have asked me why the Old Testament is not about Christians, so I feel the need to quickly state that this is because Jesus Christ came into the picture in the New Testament. Now Christians are "Little Christs", so no Christ, no Christians. Also, the Old Testament is about Jews not because they didn't have anything else to talk about (since no Christ, no Christians) but because Jesus was born a Jew according to the prophecies and promises. I'll take this opportunity to say I really don't understand Jew-hating Christians. I know it sounds complicated, but it's really not. If I get into this now I will get to the U&T some time next year.
So I'll come back to the U&T right away. I shall refer to these as is said (or more appropriately, what I've read) of them in the ancient texts immortalized by the founders of my faith. These two were objects (either stones or sticks) carried by the high priest; they were literally held close to their hearts (kept in the breastplate, which formed a part of a very elaborate priestly attire). The U&T were used to determine the will of God in serious life-and-death matters; in contemporary speak, they helped in decision-making.
Simply put, the high priest would inquire of God's will and then draw one of these out in answer. Naturally the inquiry was made in terms of Yes/ No questions and not essay-type or multiple choice ones. If you read the Old Testament, you will find it full of such simple and delightful concepts, some of which (like the U&T) I try to apply today.
(Notification: The real reason for this post starts here)
I have always held a wide-eyed fascination for the U&T. The New Testament eliminates the need for using these on account of various theologically sound reasons. Basically life-and-death type serious matters can be discussed directly with God, so I won't get into that here.
But we do live in the age of supreme peer pressure, absolute cluelessness and the consequences of too many mirrors and other reflective surfaces. We need constant guidance from people wiser and happier than ourselves to help us get on with life from time to time. One can bring smaller matters before God as well, but then the ultimate question arises: what are other people here for then?
I often come across magnanimous dilemmas like whether to wear pink or blue, to go out or to take a nap, to eat steak or prime ribs, to drink sweet lime or watermelon juice, to laugh or cry at bad jokes, etc. My modern day U&T, i.e. fore and middle fingers of my right hand, solve these for me in a jiffy. I delegate an option (in my mind, obviously) to each of these and let somebody else choose a finger. I have found that this works best with strangers, because Fatty and my close friends have learnt to manipulate my decisions now.
Sometimes I throw my ring finger in (not literally) when there are greater variables. This method of decision-making is foolproof for up to 20 variables, if you can manage to remember (or note down) one variable corresponding to each finger and toe. If you're ambitious and assertive you can get others to volunteer their fingers and toes too, but if you have so many things to choose from you ought to leave it for later and take a nap first.
- U for Urim and Thummim (My A to Z Challenge)
Nice article Ness. And thanks for the background on U&T. How I solve my decision making problems is by asking a very simple question, "WHAT DO YOU VALUE MORE?", and this ties back to your value system. We all have a value system which is unique to each of us. Example, if I go to a mall (family outing) by taxi. When I reach my destination, the cab driver tells me the meter charge is Rs.5 more then the usual I pay. Right there, I have a choice either engage in a altercation with the taxi driver about a rigged meter and winning that additional Rs. 5 OR join my waiting family to have a lovely, cool and enjoyable evening. Ask the question and you will be surprised how easily you can answer your decisions.
ReplyDeleteFor value-based decisions, I just ask WWJD? It works pretty well too ;)
DeleteWhat happens when you don't agree to what the U&T answered??!!
ReplyDeleteThat doesn't happen, because the choices are between Most Wanted 1 and Most Wanted 2 (and so on, if needed). I'd never have anything in there that I wouldn't be happy to choose.
Delete