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Hi, angelo! You wrote:

You also won't find any support in the Hebrew scriptures for the idea of individual interpretation.

I don't understand your statement. I immediately thought of my favorite OT chapter---Psalm 119, which include these words addressed to the LORD from the psalmist.

Thy hands made me and fashioned me; Give me understanding, that I may learn Thy commandments.

I have more insight than all my teachers, for Thy testimonies are my meditation.

Deal with The servant according to Thy lovingkindness, And teach me Thy statutes. I am Thy servant; give me understanding that I may know Thy testimonies.

The unfolding of Thy words gives light; it gives understanding to the simple [hopefulpilgrim].

Make Thy face shine upon Thy servant, and teach me Thy statutes.

Thy testimonies are righteous forever; give me understanding, that I may live.

Let my cry come before Thee, O LORD; give me understanding according to Thy word.

Let my lips utter praise, for Thou dost teach me Thy statutes.

I don't understand your statement. I immediately thought of my favorite OT chapter---Psalm 119, which include these words addressed to the LORD from the psalmist.

The authority to interpret the Law was not given to individuals:

[8] "If any case arises requiring decision between one kind of homicide and another, one kind of legal right and another, or one kind of assault and another, any case within your towns which is too difficult for you, then you shall arise and go up to the place which the LORD your God will choose, [9] and coming to the Levitical priests, and to the judge who is in office in those days, you shall consult them, and they shall declare to you the decision. [10] Then you shall do according to what they declare to you from that place which the LORD will choose; and you shall be careful to do according to all that they direct you; [11] according to the instructions which they give you, and according to the decision which they pronounce to you, you shall do; you shall not turn aside from the verdict which they declare to you, either to the right hand or to the left. (Deuteronomy 17:8-11)

Of course individuals can study the Law (the original synagogues were actually schools for Torah study, and only became the center of worship after the destruction of the temple). But when a question arose about interpretation, the authority to decide was given "to the Levitical priests, and to the judge who is in office in those days", not to any regular Schlomo.

10 SACKS!!??

I think I'm gonna have ta start takin' those stillers semi-seriously.

What a glorious day to be a Steeler fan. The Bucs made the mistake of trashtalking and basically daring the Bus to run against them. The Steelers made Tampa's "dominant" defense look silly. By the mid of the third period their defensive greats were sucking wind.

The Bus threw a TD pass and once in the game Kordell Stewert stayed on the sideline and they hiked the ball to a receiver lined up in the backfield. All this and they still could have lost with a play or two at the end. We still need to get the offense scoring when we have the chances.

Next up the first-ever Monday night game in Heinz Field against the Titans. This will be one to watch. Can the surging Steelers give the struggling Titans a mercy killing?

Oh, and Penn State finally won a game, letting JoePa finally tie Bear Bryant's record. And Notre Dame won too!

(If only the Lions would have held out!)