CMike
Well-Known Member
When Moses was on Mount Sinai, G-D gave two sets of laws. The written and the oral law.
The oral law is critical in making the written law effective.
For example, G-D told the Jews to keep the Sabbath, and not much else.
However, if you are truely going to keep the Sabbath you need much more information than what is in the written law.
Some the things you need to know are:
When does the sabbath start exactly
When does it end exactly
What kind of work can and can't you do
Can you violate the sabbath to save a life
These questions and many many more are answered in the oral law. The oral law from G-D is known as the Mishnah. There is then commentary on the Mishnah which make up the Talmud and the Gemera.
Often the Talmud starts off with a topic, then you have several different viewpoints whom make very long winded arguements. It's then wrapped up in the end.
However, if you really want to understand Jewish law, by studying the legal arguements, you are learning a tremendous amount regarding Jewish law.
Jewish law is very encompassing. There are books on the Court System, Divorce, Marriage, Property Damages, etc. Some examples-what if your ox gores on my land. What if your ox causes damages on my land, what if I lend you something for safe keeping, and it's stolen or damaged, All these topics are covered in the oral law. It's an entire very detailed code of justice.
The oral law has divine authority as well as the written law.
The oral law is critical in making the written law effective.
For example, G-D told the Jews to keep the Sabbath, and not much else.
However, if you are truely going to keep the Sabbath you need much more information than what is in the written law.
Some the things you need to know are:
When does the sabbath start exactly
When does it end exactly
What kind of work can and can't you do
Can you violate the sabbath to save a life
These questions and many many more are answered in the oral law. The oral law from G-D is known as the Mishnah. There is then commentary on the Mishnah which make up the Talmud and the Gemera.
Often the Talmud starts off with a topic, then you have several different viewpoints whom make very long winded arguements. It's then wrapped up in the end.
However, if you really want to understand Jewish law, by studying the legal arguements, you are learning a tremendous amount regarding Jewish law.
Jewish law is very encompassing. There are books on the Court System, Divorce, Marriage, Property Damages, etc. Some examples-what if your ox gores on my land. What if your ox causes damages on my land, what if I lend you something for safe keeping, and it's stolen or damaged, All these topics are covered in the oral law. It's an entire very detailed code of justice.
The oral law has divine authority as well as the written law.
