Abraham Mitrie Rihbany: The Syrian Christ, London-New York, Andrew Melrose, 1924[104-105] ORIENTAL MANNER OF SPEECH - SPEAKING IN PARABLESIn Mt 13 occurs the parable of the leaven (cf postea). Is the idea of leaven associated with corruption? ModernSyrians hold the leaven in high and reverential esteem (cf postea). To them it is the symbol of growth andfecundity. In many of the rural districts of Syria, upon approaching the door of her future home the bride isgiven the khamera (lump of leaven) which she pastes on the upper doorsill and passes under it into the house.As she performs the solemn act her friends exclaim, "May you be as blessed and as fruitful as the khamera!"But we see in the ancient records that in the earliest times bread was entirely unleavened. When the Jews wereroaming tribes they ate and offered to God unleavened bread. The Arab tribes of today on the borders of Syriaeat no leavened bread. They believe that it tends to reduce the vitality and endurance of the body. Perhaps thereal reason for preferring unleavened bread is that it is much easier to make, and dispenses with taking care ofthe lump of leaven between bakings, which is unconvenient for roaming tribes to do. The use of unleavenedbread for so many generations among the Jews constituted its sacredness; it was the conservatism of religionwhich still called for unleavened bread for the offering, even after leavened bread had become universally thedaily food of the people.So to the ancients the fermentation in the process of leavening was considered corruption. It was somethingwhich entered into the lump and soured it. The New Testament use of the word leaven as meaning corruption ispurely figurative and signifies bad influence or doctrine. It was in this sense that Jesus used the word when Hesaid to His disciples: "Take heed and beware of the leaven of the pharisees and of the sadducees"; and: "Takeheed, beware of the leaven of the pharisees, and of the leaven of Herod" (Mt 16,6; Mk 8,15). T...