Plucking the Eagle's Wings

Hebrew Parallels Associated with Early American History

language. Cotton Mather wrote, "I promise that those who spend as much time morning and evening in Hebrew studies as they do in smoking tobacco will quickly make excellent progress in the language." William Bradford, a Pilgrim, also studied the Hebrew language. Bradford intimated that he studied Hebrew intensely so that when he died he would be able to speak the "most ancient language, the Holy Tongue in which God and the angels spake." The original Jewish language is Hebrew. It is interesting that some of America's founders considered making Hebrew the official language of America. The language seems to have played an important role in the development of early New England. Hebrew is found on the seals of schools such as Columbia and Dartmouth. Harvard University, founded by the Puritans in 1636, considered Hebrew to be a critical part of higher learning. From Harvard's beginning, Hebrew was taught by the presidents, of whom it was said that some were better Hebraists than the Jews. John Endicott wanted to make the Mosaic Law the basis of law in Massachusetts. Many of the young men wore earlocks, reminiscent of the earlocks prescribed by the Mosaic Law and worn by Orthodox Jews today. The main reason that the Salem Witch Trials of 1692 occurred was because of the Puritan's attempt to enforce the Mosaic Law. The Law of Moses says that you must not "suffer a witch to live" (Exodus 22:18). It is safe to say that the Hebrew Scriptures were at the heart of Puritan society. Hebrew, the language of Israel, was emphasized in the new vineyard, America. The Puritans wanted to found a New Israel in the New World, a city set on a hill. As they sought to do this, they constantly taught that, unless the Lord builds the house, those that build it labor in vain. Their colony developed to such an extent that, in 1691, they were given a new Charter that incorporated an area from Plymouth all the way to Maine. Puritan beliefs greatly influenced the Declaration of Independence and the United States Constitution. Both of these documents have their roots in the Bible. A Second Exodus The Puritans had tried to purify the Church of England from within, but were met with resistance. For years, Puritan ministers pleaded with English Church officials to fix corrupt practices. Oddly, from autumn of 1628 to 1629 was the Hebrew year 5389. Upon

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