From the bestselling author of The Know-It-All comes a fascinating and timely exploration of religion and the Bible. Raised in a secular family but increasingly interested in the relevance of faith in our modern world, AJ Jacobs decides to dive in headfirst and attempt to obey the Bible as literally as possible for one full year. He vows to follow the Ten Commandments. To be fruitful and multiply. To love his neighbor. But also to obey the hundreds of less publicized rules: to avoid wearing clothes made of mixed fibers; to play a ten-string harp; to stone adulterers. The resulting spiritual journey is at once funny and profound, reverent and irreverent, personal and universal and will make you see history’s most influential book with new eyes. Jacobs’s quest transforms his life even more radically than the year spent reading the entire Encyclopedia Britannica for The Know-It-All. His beard grows so unruly that he is regularly mistaken for a member of ZZ Top. He immerses himself in prayer, tends sheep in the Israeli desert, battles idolatry, and tells the absolute truth in all situations – much to his wife’s chagrin. Throughout the book, Jacobs also embeds himself in a cross-section of communities that take the Bible literally. He tours a Kentucky-based creationist museum and sings hymns with Pennsylvania Amish. He dances with Hasidic Jews in Brooklyn and does Scripture study with Jehovah’s Witnesses. He discovers ancient biblical wisdom of startling relevance. And he …

People today have varying needs. Now, they want to have a place where they can live comfortably. It has to be somewhere near their work place that does not require a lot of maintenance. Most want to have a home that fits their lifestyle. In order to answer these needs, new types of property have been developed. Among the said properties is the townhome.

Many people have encountered the term townhome or townhouse. However, very few people are able to distinguish its difference from other properties. A townhome is like a condominium and a single-family home rolled into one. Townhomes are several units linked in one structure. The units have the design of single-family homes. However, they are placed next to each other. They usually have two stories and they do not have neighbors positioned above and below them.

Many people are investing in this type of property because of the several things it offers. One, it provides a comfortable dwelling. It is also perfect for people who have busy schedules. Its other benefits are listed below:

It is less expensive than the single-family home. This means that those who wish to have a single-family home can have a cheaper alternative. They will still enjoy a comfortable home at a much affordable price. Families will not need to worry about privacy. This is a major concern for homes that are closely linked with each other. Although this is the case for townhomes, each homeowner has their own doors. They do not have to worry about nosy neighbors because they do not have neighbors above and below them. Outdoor maintenance is a breeze. This is another thing that separates it from the traditional home. It does not have a vast yard to maintain regularly. Although its exteriors will still need some cleaning, the process will not be that tiring. You will feel more secured. This is because the houses are close to each other. The residents know their neighbors. They will easily recognize strangers in the property. In addition to that, neighbors will easily hear suspicious noises, which can make them respond more quickly. It is also easier to socialize. If you live in a townhome, it will not be difficult to familiarize the faces of your neighbors. This makes it easier to make friends. You do not have to walk far to meet them. A simple hi to a resident next door will already help you make friends. You will also enjoy several amenities. There are several amenities provided for the residents. One is the swimming pool. They can enjoy swimming there anytime they want. Most townhomes have fitness centers and playing areas as well. People on the go will also appreciate townhomes. This is because there are several townhomes near the workplace. They can choose townhomes that will suit their needs. If they find one near their workplace, they will surely save on transportation expenses and travel time.

Many will benefit from living in a townhome. If you think that this is a property for you, invest in one.

The donkey is mentioned in the Bible 142 times and in the Quran four times, i.e., the Bible cites the donkey 35 times more than the Quran does.

Furthermore, the total words of the Bible are 788,280 while the total words of the Quran are 77,473. It follows that, the Bible has the likely of more than 10 times than the Quran word-wise to talk about The donkey. In addition, the Bible has the prospective of more than 35 times than the Quran topic-wise to utter about the donkey.

The Donkey in the Bible:

Kill every living. Do not spare any:

• They destroyed with the sword every living thing in it—men and women, young and old, donkeys, etc…

• Go and totally destroy everything. Do not spare them; put to death men and women, children and infants, donkeys, etc…

• Kill men and women, children and infants, and donkeys, etc…

Joshua 6:21

“They devoted the city to the LORD and destroyed with the sword every living thing in it—men and women, young and old, cattle, sheep and donkeys.”

1 Samuel 15:3

“Now go, attack the Amalekites and totally destroy everything that belongs to them. Do not spare them; put to death men and women, children and infants, cattle and sheep, camels and donkeys.’ “

1 Samuel 22:19

“He also put to the sword Nob, the town of the priests, with its men and women, its children and infants, and its cattle, donkeys and sheep.”

1 Samuel 27:9

“Whenever David attacked an area, he did not leave a man or woman alive, but took sheep and cattle, donkeys and camels, and clothes. Then he returned to Achish”.

The Bible says that “Ishmael” will be a wild donkey of a man and sets on the root of Arabs-Jews conflict and intolerance.

Genesis 16:12

“He (Ishmael) will be a wild donkey of a man; his hand will be against everyone and everyone’s hand against him, and he will live in hostility toward all his brothers.”

One may think about why Moses wrote in Genesis that His Uncle “Ishmael” will be a wild donkey of a man? Is not it a race-discrimination?

Either Redeem or Kill the firstborn donkey.

One has to redeem every firstborn donkey with a lamb; but if he does not, he has to break its neck. Either way, there should be blood of the lamb or the donkey!

Exodus 13:13

“Redeem with a lamb every firstborn donkey, but if you do not redeem it, break its neck.”

Exodus 34:20

“Redeem the firstborn donkey with a lamb, but if you do not redeem it, break its neck.”

And there is also a prophecy about the ox and donkey:

Deuteronomy 28:31

“Your ox will be slaughtered before your eyes, but you will eat none of it. Your donkey will be forcibly taken from you and will not be returned. Your sheep will be given to your enemies, and no one will rescue them.”

Do not “covet” your neighbor’s wife or donkey.

Exodus 20:17

“You shall not covet your neighbor’s house. You shall not covet your neighbor’s wife, or his manservant or maidservant, his ox or donkey, or anything that belongs to your neighbor.”

Deuteronomy 5:21

“You shall not covet your neighbor’s wife. You shall not set your desire on your neighbor’s house or land, his manservant or maidservant, his ox or donkey, or anything that belongs to your neighbor.”

The Donkey and the Sabbath:

You and your Donkey have to keep the Sabbath.

Exodus 23:12

“Six days do your work, but on the seventh day do not work, so that your ox and your donkey may rest and the slave born in your household, and the alien as well, may be refreshed.”

Deuteronomy 5:14

“but the seventh day is a Sabbath to the LORD your God. On it you shall not do any work, neither you, nor your son or daughter, nor your manservant or maidservant, nor your ox, your donkey or any of your animals, nor the alien within your gates, so that your manservant and maidservant may rest, as you do.”

How do you deal with the donkey, and the fools? With a halter and a rod

Proverbs 26:3

“A whip for the horse, a halter for the donkey, and a rod for the backs of fools!”

The donkey knows his owner’s manger, but “Israel” does not know

Isaiah 1:3

“The ox knows his master, the donkey his owner’s manger, but Israel does not know, my people do not understand.”

The donkeys will eat fodder and mash, spread out with fork and shovel.

Isaiah 30:24

“The oxen and donkeys that work the soil will eat fodder and mash, spread out with fork and shovel.”

The policy of burial of a donkey

How do you burry your donkey? Drag away and throw outside.

Jeremiah 22:19

“He will have the burial of a donkey— dragged away and thrown outside the gates of Jerusalem.”

Wow!

The Egyptian’s genitals are like those of donkeys and their emission (semen) is like that of horses.

Being an Egyptian, I do not know if I should be proud or insulted because of this anatomical and biological verse!

Ezekiel 23:20

“There she lusted after her lovers, whose genitals were like those of donkeys and whose emission was like that of horses.”

This following verse talks about a man who will eat grass like cattle.

However, the man’s stomach is not like that of cattle.

Man can not utilize and metabolize grass

Daniel 5:21

“He was driven away from people and given the mind of an animal; he lived with the wild donkeys and ate grass like cattle; and his body was drenched with the dew of heaven, until he acknowledged that the Most High God is sovereign over the kingdoms of men and sets over them anyone he wishes.”

Believe it or Not!

1) Samson killed a thousand men with a jawbone of a donkey!

Judges 15:15

“Finding a fresh jawbone of a donkey, he grabbed it and struck down a thousand men.”

Judges 15:16

“Then Samson said, “With a donkey’s jawbone I have made donkeys of them. With a donkey’s jawbone I have killed a thousand men.”

2) A donkey spoke with a man’s voice!

2Peter 2:16

“But he was rebuked for his wrongdoing by a donkey—a beast without speech—who spoke with a man’s voice and restrained the prophet’s madness”.

The Donkey in the Quran:

The story of how Allah made revival of a dead man and donkey.

Surah 2:259

“Or the like of him who, passing by a township which had fallen down upon its roofs and fallen into utter ruin, he exclaimed saying: how shall Allah give this township life after its death? So Allah made him die for a hundred years, and then brought him back to life. He said: how long hast thou tarried? (the man) said: I have tarried a day or part of a day. (He) said: nay, but thou hast tarried for a hundred years. Just look at thy food and drink which – years have not passed over it -and have not rotted! and look at thy donkey: and that we may make of thee a sign unto the people, look further at the bones, how we bring them together and clothe them with flesh.” when this was shown clearly to him, he said: “I know that Allah hath power over all things (is able to do all things).”

This story is not mentioned in the Bible.

This story gave a proof to the Jews who denied the revival after death and the afterlife.

The story talks about of preservation of foods for 100 years!

Those who claim they worship Allah but not follow His Law are like donkeys that carry books and not understand what they carry.

Surah 62:5

“The likeness of those who were charged with the (obligations of the) mosaic law (Torah), but who subsequently failed in those (obligations), is as the likeness of the donkey which carries books (but understands them not). evil is the likeness of the people who falsify the signs of Allah (reject the communications of Allah): and Allah guides not the unjust people who do wrong.”

This verse is general for any man not only for the Jews.

One can say that:

The likeness of Christians who were charged with the Gospel but who subsequently failed in is as the likeness of the donkey which carries books; and, the likeness of Muslims who were charged with the Quran but who subsequently failed in is as the likeness of the donkey which carries books.

The harshest of all voices is the voice of the donkeys.

Surah 31:19

“And pursue the right course in your going about and lower your voice; surely the harshest of all voices is the voice of the donkeys.”

This verse gives two important connotations one is social and the other is scientific.

The social one is to be well-mannered when you pursue your right and to talk to the others in a civil and polite way not with a harsh voice.

The scientific meaning needs some acoustic researches to categorize the voices of the creatures and then we will grant the Quranic fact that the harshest of all voices is that of the donkeys.

Allah Creates what you do not know:

Surah 16:8

“And (HE Has Created) horses and mules and donkeys that you might ride upon them and as an ornament; and HE Creates what you do not know.”

This prospective scientific law is applicable and valid for any time.

The Arabs at the time of revelation of the Quran had no idea about most of the creatures. Nevertheless, we also up till now have no idea about many of Allah’s creatures. If we follow the everyday discovery of a new virus, bacteria, fungus, etc. we then should acknowledge this prospective Quranic scientific law that is applicable for any time.

Back to our main issue; this is my question to you smart readers: Is the Quran quoted from the Bible? And which book preceded the sciences? The book which says: Go and totally destroy everything, either Redeem or Kill the firstborn donkey, the Egyptian’s genitals are like those of donkeys, Samson killed a thousand men with a jawbone of a donkey, a donkey spoke with a man’s voice etc. or the book which put a prospective scientific law by saying: ” Allah Creates what we do not know”.

Residing in an apartment can be a rather different experience from residing in a traditional home. It is one thing to be close to your neighbors but apartments take that intimacy to a totally new place. Staying with few simple recommendations will help make living in an apartment a fun occurrence for you and for your neighbors as well.

Meet the neighbors. Not only does it help communications to get familiar with your neighbors but it will also up security for the entire complex. Suggest to host a group of the neighbors so that you can all kick off get to know each other.

Know the regulations. Be sure to take the time to figure out what the rules are for the rental center. If there are no written rules then you might want to consider having a apartment party so that you can meet with your neighbors and see if there are any uncertain details.

Know the renter. You may have to do things to the apartment or have things done and if you have already formed a relationship then it will make the questioning process go a little better. You do not have to be acquaintances but be sure you know the name and title of the person you need to talk to and that you speak with them for more than your complaints.

Be kind. You may not be forced by your agreement to maintain a given noise level but in selecting to keep the volume low will be a superb way to keep friendships with neighbors on great terms. This can be especially huge if a neighbor has little children or is on a separate work and sleep schedule.

Be cautious. Take care of your place like you would any dwelling where you are a guest. Yes, an apartment is your home but you are leasing that place from another person. It is smart manners to return the thing back to the first person in the same (or better) shape than when you received it.