The Nazarite Vow

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MichaelSebastia

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The Nazarite Vow (Numbers 6:1-21) is described by JHVH to Moses as a great dedication to the Lord. While very few people take the vow today famous biblical nazarites include Samson, Samuel and John the Baptist. I feel as if i may be called to take this vow as a life long devotion to Jah most high, but I would like to know what the Christian community (Catholic and Protestant alike) know/ think of modern nazarites? Anything is greatly appriciated.
 
The vow of the Nazarite was voluntarily made by those who desired “to separate themselves unto the LORD” (v.2) for a determined season. “All the days of his separation he is holy unto the LORD” (v.8). During the time of his separation, the Nazarite was bound by three absolute restrictions.
  • First, he could “eat nothing that is made of the vine tree, from the kernels even to the husk” (v.4).
  • Second, “there shall not razor come upon his head: until the days be fulfilled” (v.5).
  • Third, during the days of his separation, “he shall come at no dead body” (v.6).
At the end of his separation, specific sacrifices must be made at which time “the hair of his separation is shaven” (v.19). At that time, the restrictions of the vow are removed.

The vow was offered voluntarily. Evidently, the Nazarite himself determined the length of the vow. Therefore, he decided how much he was willing to sacrifice. Yet, after the vow was made, its requirements were very strict. Consider the three restrictions placed on the Nazarite. As a whole, they illustrate the cost of discipleship for the believer today.

I don’t know of anyone who does this today. And your’re planning to make it a lifelong vow?
 
Due to the strict ritual to end a nazarite vow after a set period of time (all of which include sacrifice at the Temple of Jerusalem) a modern nazarite would have to make it a lifelong sacrifice. I believe that if i take the vow I will take the Samson-like vow which allows proximity to a corpse.

The most modern nazarite that I have found was David Kohen, a rabbi who lived in Jerusalem about 30 years ago.
 
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