to the physical burden of being blind, or lame, or deaf, or dumb, such a Jew was blemished, and unable to be a full Israelite.178 How far this was taken by Jewish society in Jesus’ day it is difficult to assess. But we know that at least in Qumran it was a very serious matter. This means that Jesus’ healing miracles must be seen clearly as bestowing the gift of shalom, wholeness, to those who lacked it, bringing not only physical health but renewed membership in the people of YHWH. Many of the people