It has been elucidated in the writings of 'Abdu'l-Baha and Shoghi Effendi
that, while the membership of the Universal House of Justice is confined
to men, both women and men are eligible for election to Secondary and
Local Houses of Justice (currently designated as National and Local
Spiritual Assemblies).
81. The penalties for wounding or striking a person depend upon the
severity of the injury; for each degree the Lord of Judgement hath
prescribed a certain indemnity. # 56
While Baha'u'llah specified that the extent of the penalty depends upon
"the severity of the injury", there is no record of His having set out the
details of the size of the indemnity with regard to each degree of
offence. The responsibility to determine these devolves upon the Universal
House of Justice.
82. Verily, it is enjoined upon you to offer a feast, once in every month
#57
This injunction has become the basis for the holding of monthly Baha'i
festivities and as such constitutes the ordination of the Nineteen Day
Feast. In the Arabic Bayan the Bab called upon His followers to gather
together once every nineteen days to show hospitality and fellowship.
Baha'u'llah here confirms this and notes the unifying role of such
occasions.
'Abdu'l-Baha and Shoghi Effendi after Him have gradually unfolded the
institutional significance of this injunction. 'Abdu'l-Baha emphasized the
importance of the spiritual and devotional character of these gatherings.
Shoghi Effendi, besides further elaborating the devotional and social
aspects of the Feast, has developed the administrative element of such
gatherings and, in systematically instituting the Feast, has provided for
a period of consultation on the affairs of the Baha'i community, including
the sharing of news and messages.
In answer to a question as to whether this injunction is obligatory,
Baha'u'llah stated it was not (Q and A 48). Shoghi Effendi in a letter
written on his behalf further comments:
Attendance at Nineteen Day Feasts is not obligatory but very
important, and every believer should consider it a duty and
privilege to be present on such occasions.
83. If ye should hunt with beasts or birds of prey, invoke ye the Name of
God when ye send them to pursue their quarry; for then whatever they catch
shall be lawful unto you, even should ye find it to have died. #60
By this law, Baha'u'llah greatly simplifies practices and religious
regulations of the past relating to hunting. He has also stated that
hunting with such weapons as bows and arrows, guns, and the like, is
included in this ruling, but that the consumption of game if it is found
dead in a trap or a net is prohibited (Q and A 24).