A Rational Approach to the Divinity of the Jewish Torah Oral Tradition

SimpleToRemember.com Judaism Online ^ | Circa 2011 | Rabbi Lawrence Kelemen

[Phinneous]

An hour-long (don't be discouraged) class with rational explanations about the unbroken chain of Judaism's Oral Law from Mt Sinai. Fear not-- no Yiddish or unexplained Hebrew terms (like a lot of my audio class posts...)

Enjoy!

[Vendome]

What’s oral law?

[Phinneous]

How to brush your teeth... :)

It is the oral explanation, from G-d via Moses at Sinai, explaining the seemingly-confusing or contradictory laws in the Torah (the Five Books of Moses.) It is what is called the Talmud.

[LukeL]

The Mishna, which is the written down version of the Oral Law. This was written around 200AD. The Talmud expands on this and offers written commentary from Rabbis about how the oral law and written law should be applied and what it means. The Talmud also expands into other subjects such as how to treat Gentiles, conduct business etc. The Talmud has two version, the Jerusalem Talmud and the Babylonian Talmud. Most hold the Babylonian Talmud to be the authoritative one.

Strangely the Talmud can contain two completely different opinions on the same law and according to Rabbinical Jews this does not mean it is a contradiction, they would say both opinions are equally valid.

[Phinneous]

I chose to tell him “Talmud” since it contains the Mishna. You point about different opinions, a common complain against Orthodox Judaism, is addressed and explained in this class.

[LukeL]

I am just remembering what I learned in a Judaism 101 class. I just completed my BS in religion at Liberty University and will be working towards my Master of Divinity in the near future. I feel most Christians have a very poor understanding of Old Testament Law and Judaism in general, which is important to know if one is going to have a deep understanding of the New Testament.

[Vendome]

Interesting.

Thnx.

[Vendome]

Thnx

I saw LukeL explanation as well.

Freepers are sure a lot of help.

[Mercat]

thanks

[Vendome]

You’re welcome.

What’d I do?

[sauron]

I watched the entire video. Interesting.

BUT...I was more than a little let down because the same yardstick he applies to Judaism applies EQUALLY WELL to Christianity...and he fails to give full explanation as to why the origins of Christianity also fit his Past theory.

Disappointed.

Additionally, I was left with the distinct feeling that the swipes he took at Christianity were meant to discourage his audience from even entertaining those thoughts, i.e., applying the same investigatory yardstick. The cover up only works as long as one can be convinced not to uncover the origins.

Sauron

[Phinneous]

His audience is Jews, so of course he isn’t seeking to bolster Christian dogma. However how does Paul or even a handful of witnesses to Jesus’ revelation compare to the Jewish claim? There is no comparison according to the theory he is applying.

[jjotto]

There’s a collection of lessons on oral law from a slight different perspective at:

http://www.dovidgottlieb.com/Rabbi_Gottlieb_Tapes.html

“The Oral Law part 1”

[Vendome]

Thnx