s of 'Abdu'l-Baha; he has likewise indicated that this term does
not apply to his own writings.

166. Ye have been enjoined to renew the furnishings of your homes after
the passing of each nineteen years #151

Baha'u'llah confirms the injunction in the Arabic Bayan regarding the
renewal, every nineteen years, of the furnishings of one's home, provided
one is able to do so. 'Abdu'l-Baha relates this ordinance to the promotion
of refinement and cleanliness. He explains that the purpose of the law is
that one should change those furnishings that become old, lose their
lustre and provoke repugnance. It does not apply to such things as rare or
treasured articles, antiques or jewellery.

167. Wash your feet #152

The believers are exhorted in the Kitab-i-Aqdas to bathe regularly, to
wear clean clothes and generally to be the essence of cleanliness and
refinement. The Synopsis and Codification, section IV.D.3.y.i.-vii.,
summarizes the relevant provisions. In relation to the washing of the
feet, Baha'u'llah states that it is preferable to use warm water; however,
washing in cold water is also permissible (Q and A 97).

168. Ye have been prohibited from making use of pulpits. Whoso wisheth to
recite unto you the verses of his Lord, let him sit on a chair placed upon
a dais #154

These provisions have their antecedent in the Persian Bayan. The Bab
forbade the use of pulpits for the delivery of sermons and the reading of
the Text. He specified, instead, that to enable all to hear the Word of
God clearly, a chair for the speaker should be placed upon a platform.

In comments on this law, 'Abdu'l-Baha and Shoghi Effendi have made it
clear that in the Mas{~COMBINING MACRON BELOW~}h{~COMBINING MACRON BELOW~}riqu'l-Ad{~COMBINING MACRON BELOW~}h{~COMBINING MACRON BELOW~}kar (where sermons are prohibited and
only the words of Holy Scripture may be read) the reader may stand or sit,
and if necessary to be better heard, may use a low moveable platform, but
that no pulpit is permitted. In the case of meetings in places other than
the Mas{~COMBINING MACRON BELOW~}h{~COMBINING MACRON BELOW~}riqu'l-Ad{~COMBINING MACRON BELOW~}h{~COMBINING MACRON BELOW~}kar, it is also permissible for the reader or
speaker to sit or stand, and to use a platform. In one of His Tablets,
when reiterating the prohibition of the use of pulpits in any location,
'Abdu'l-Baha has stressed that when Baha'is deliver their speeches in
gathering