Why mixing fabrics was strongly forbidden in the Bible

SPC Nathan Freeman — Thu, 10 Dec 2015 08:33:32 -0500

http://www.britannica.com/science/plant-disease

I've often heard the rhetorical question of why in the Old Testament, Moses forbade the mixing of fabrics when making clothing. A death sentence for such a seemingly innocent faux pas seems a bit harsh until one understands the reasoning.

Every plant carries pathogens that are designed to protect it from bugs, fungi, bacteria, etc. these pathogens by themselves are harmless. However, when you you introduce one pathogen to another pathogen from a different plant, the pathogens start fighting each other and or mutate into a cocktail called a superpathogen. This could also happen by mixing plant fibers with animal fibers such as wool.
The Jewish people were nomadic at the time and were in close quarters. Such a disease could have wiped them completely out. Such was the danger of mixing seemingly innocent fabrics during the Bronze Age.

plant disease | plant pathology

An impairment of the normal state of a plant that interrupts or modifies its vital functions. All species of plants, wild and cultivated alike, are subject to disease. Although...

Response by PO1 John Miller made Dec 10 at 2015 8:36 AM

PO1 John Miller — Thu, 10 Dec 2015 08:36:39 -0500

Interesting read! Thanks for sharing. I definitely learned something.

Response by MAJ Keira Brennan made Dec 10 at 2015 11:56 AM

MAJ Keira Brennan — Thu, 10 Dec 2015 11:56:21 -0500

Lol. Moses was a myth. Im sure our neolithic ancestors figured out plant pathology by trial and error during the +/-100000yr they existed before the myth.

Response by MSG Brad Sand made Dec 10 at 2015 12:22 PM

MSG Brad Sand — Thu, 10 Dec 2015 12:22:10 -0500

Interesting. It is always interesting me when modern man assumes he somehow is so much smarter and wiser than those who came before us. As soon as we want to think medieval doctors were 'quacks' we learn the the cutting edge medicine is using leeches again?
Many of the things that the twelve tribes were forbidden from doing seem strange today, but probably all would have made complete sense in the place and time.

Response by MSG Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 10 at 2015 12:31 PM

MSG Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 10 Dec 2015 12:31:24 -0500

On the religious side it had to do with purity before God. Is it really a health hazard for women to be on their periods? No but once again purity. Also why the Passover lamb had to be blemish and spot free, pure.

Response by SPC Nathan Freeman made Dec 10 at 2015 12:33 PM

SPC Nathan Freeman — Thu, 10 Dec 2015 12:33:55 -0500

http://www.new2torah.com/2011/11/the-power-of-linen/

The Power of Linen | New2Torah – Torah Observant Followers of Jesus/Yeshua – Hebrew Roots

New 2 Torah is a Bible based Torah observant site for believers seeking to understand Gods word without the Traditions and Doctrines of the modern day church getting in the way.

Response by TSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 10 at 2015 3:37 PM

TSgt Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 10 Dec 2015 15:37:25 -0500

It sort of makes me think of the new wine in old wine skins parable.