in which Yeshua was operating; but much more has to do
with just plain not reading the scriptures.
In many instances, Yeshua was not teaching against the keeping of the
law, but against the hypocrisy that existed in those who tried to USE the
law TO AVOID KEEPING IT.
The
Oral Law
According to Jewish tradition God gave Moses the written Torah (Instructions) on
Mount Sinai. However, along with those written instructions God also gave Moses
oral instructions.
In the first century a
Gentile once asked Shammai, “How many Torahs do you have?” “Two” he answered.
“One Oral and one Written, as it says:
"These are the
statutes and judgments and laws [Hebrew: “Torot” i.e. the plural of Torah],
which the LORD made between him and the children of Israel in Mount Sinai by
the hand of Moses" [Leviticus
26:46].
The Gentile said, “I
believe you concerning the Written but not in regards to the Oral Law. Convert
me on condition that you teach me only the Written Law.” Shammai became
indignant and sent him away. The Gentile then went to Hillel, who accepted him
for conversion.
On the first day Hillel
taught the alphabet: Aleph, beth, gimmel, dalet, etc. On the second day Hillel
reversed the letters. The prospective convert disagreed and said: “Yesterday
you taught me a DIFFERENT sequence.” Hillel answered, “My son, you are relying
on me anyway so rely on me concerning the Oral Torah too.”
We would not know how to
pronounce the Hebrew Alphabet if not for the Oral tradition. Similarly in order
to understand certain laws we have to rely on oral tradition.