What is the Oral Torah?
What is the Oral Torah?
The 'Oral Torah' refers to the collection of explanations, decisions, guidelines, commentaries, interpretations and substantive laws compiled by the Pharisees over several centuries.
The main collections are the Talmud and Mishnah (see also the Shulchan Aruch). The Oral Torah is thirty times the size of the original Torah.
Although the Oral Torah was originally a verbal tradition, scholars ended up writing these rules down as well. The process of compiling the Oral Torah was completed in approximately 500CE.
What Does the Oral Torah Contain?
The Oral Torah is said to contain material transmitted verbally from Yehova to Moses, which was then passed on from Moses to the people. This is consistent with Moses' position as Priest, Judge and Prophet (Exodus 18).
However, the Oral Torah also contains laws made up by the Rabbinic Pharisees themselves. This has come to be known as 'Rabbinic Innovation' or Takanot.
The Oral Torah also contains other types of rules, such as determinations made by the Sanhedrin.
'Category A'
Substantive laws claimed to have been transmitted verbally from Yehova to Moses. These laws were 1) revealed to Moses 2) not written in the Torah 3) passed on verbally for some generations and 4) codified in the Oral Torah.
'Category B'
Substantive laws made up by the Pharisaic Rabbinic Scholars and Sanhedrin. These laws are either identified or recognised as being the opinions of these writers, or the same seems highly likely. This material operates as official Jewish Law today.
The Problem With Category B
While Rabbinic Innovation is substantive law, it has not been made according to the Torah's procedural laws.
Substantive discussions of Torah Law that ignore the Torah's procedures is criticised in Isaiah 29:13:
These people draw near Me with their mouths to honour Me but their hearts are removed from Me. Their fear towards me is taught by the commandments of men.