The Weekly Horror Story

This week we learn that while the escaped Hebrew slaves were transiting in the wilderness, they caught a Hebrew man gathering firewood. It was Saturday. The mob brought him to their leaders, Moshe and Aharon. “The man must surely be put to death. The whole congregation is to stone him outside the camp.”

Other peoples punish illegal sex or stealing, blasphemy. Roman legions beat to death soldiers caught sleeping on guard because they endangered their comrades. Victorians were killed for stealing. But for collecting firewood in the wilderness? 

The Hebrews took themselves with dreadful seriousness. Not an easygoing, open-minded, happy folk.