Rule of the Congregation
The rule of the messianic banquet — when the Anointed One of Israel shall come together with the Anointed One of Aaron, and shall preside over the assembly of the elect.
1And no man that is afflicted with any one of the impurities of mankind shall enter the assembly of God. And no man that is afflicted with any one of these shall take his place in the midst of the congregation: every man that is afflicted in his flesh, smitten in his feet or in his hands, lame, or blind, or deaf, or dumb, or smitten in his flesh with a visible blemish, or an old man tottering, that cannot keep himself among the congregation. These shall not come in to take their place in the midst of the congregation of the men of renown — for the angels of holiness are with their congregation.
2And if any man have aught to say, that the holy assembly may hear it — let it be said unto him in his ear, but he shall not enter into the midst of the congregation, for he is smitten.
3And this is the order of the assembly of the men of renown that are called unto the assembly of the Council of the Community, when God hath caused the Anointed One to be born among them. The priest shall come in at the head of all the congregation of Israel; and after him shall enter all the heads of the brothers, the sons of Aaron the priests, the called of the assembly, the men of renown — and they shall sit before him each in his rank.
4And after them shall the Anointed One of Israel come in. And the heads of the thousands of Israel shall sit before him, each man in his rank, according to his standing in their camps and during their marches. And after them shall sit all the heads of the families of the congregation with the wise of the holy congregation, each man in his rank.
5And when they gather together at the table of the Community, or to drink the wine, when the table of the Community is prepared, and when the wine is mixed for drinking — let no man stretch forth his hand over the firstfruits of the bread and of the wine before the priest. For he shall bless the firstfruits of the bread and the wine, and shall stretch forth his hand over the bread first.
6And after that, the Anointed One of Israel shall stretch forth his hand over the bread. And after that, all the congregation of the Community shall give blessing — each man according to his rank.
7And it is according to this rule that they shall act at every meal, when at least ten men are gathered together. So shall they keep the order of the Community, both for council and for the table of the Community — that the Anointed One may preside, and the priest may bless, and the assembly may eat and drink in the presence of the holy ones, in joy and in righteousness for ever.
8Glory be unto the God of Israel — who hath caused the Anointed One to come, and who hath gathered His people in the latter days. Amen, and amen.
