dssdead-sea-scrolls
C — Calendars, Liturgies and Prayers
Part 14
Fragmentary purification prayers from Cave manuscripts instruct a worshiper to bless the God of Israel at a feast day, confessing that He has delivered from sin, purified from impure indecency, and made atonement through the burnt-offering — then prescribe completing seven days of purification, washing clothes, cleansing the body, and putting on garments before blessing again. The seven-day cycle, the blood of the burnt-offering, the pleasing memorial, and the feast-day setting together trace the Mosaic purification rites as types pointing toward the atoning work of Jehovah, fulfilled in Christ's offering and replayed in the Moedim.
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Badly worn papyrus fragments from Cave contain prayers: to be recited to obtain purification from various kinds of ritual uncleanness. M. Baillet suggests an early first- century BCE date for the script. Frs. 29-32 And he will bless there the God of Israel. Answering, he will say: Blessed art Thou, God of Israel. And I stand before Thee on the feast.. Thou hast.. me for purity.. and his burnt-offering and he will bless. Answering he will say: Blessed art Thou, God of Israel, who hast delivered me from all my sins and purified me from impure indecency and hast atoned so that I come.. purification and the blood of the burnt-offering of Thy goodwill and the pleasing memorial.. Fr.II And on completing his seven days of purification.. and he shall wash his clothes with water and cleanse his body and he shall put on his garments and shall bless again.. the God of Israel..
