More on the Rabbinic claim to exclusive interpretation:
BABYLONIAN TALMUD, BABA METZIA 59B
Rabbi Eliezer now cried out: “If the law is to be construed in the way I have argued, then let God prove it!” And, in fact, a
Heavenly Voice was heard proclaiming: “What do you want from Rabbi Eliezer? Don’t you know that in all matters of law the decision is in accordance with his opinion?” At that, Rabbi Joshua jumped to his feet and shouted:
“It is not in the heavens!” (Deuteronomy 30:12) What did he mean by that quotation from Deuteronomy? Rabbi Jeremiah explained:
“The Torah had already been revealed at Mount Sinai. We, therefore, need not be concerned with further Heavenly Voices. After all, the Sinaitic Torah itself contains the principle that, in legal matters, the vote of the majority is decisive” (Exodus 23:2, in the rabbinic interpretation). Later, when Rabbi Nathan met the Prophet Elijah, he asked the Prophet: “What did the Holy One, praised be God, do at that hour?” Elijah replied: “God smiled and said: ‘My children have prevailed against me! My children have prevailed against me!’”
Here is the true heart of the matter. Rabbi's actually believe that there interpretation is higher then God's own voice! This story (parable) is obviously teaching that Rabbinic authority on the Torah is GREATER then the opinions of God Himself. They come to this logic by taking small soundbites of the Torah to make this claim. So lets look at the first reference from Deut 30: 12.
Deuteronomy 30:12- The Rabbi's have taking the words "it is not in heaven", out of context in order to solidify their authority over all others. But lets look at the passage itself to see what it says about the Torah "in context":
11For this commandment (Torah) which I command thee this day,
it is not too hard for thee, neither is it far off.
12It is not in heaven, that thou shouldest say: ‘Who shall go up for us to heaven, and bring it unto us, and make us to hear it, that we may do it?’
13Neither is it beyond the sea, that thou shouldest say: ‘Who shall go over the sea for us, and bring it unto us, and make us to hear it, that we may do it?’
14But the word is very nigh unto thee, in thy mouth, and in thy heart, that thou mayest do it. Deut 30: 11-14
The very passage that Rabbi's cherry pick to claim their exclusive authority is ACTUALLY a verse that destroys their authoritative claim!!! The ENTIRE point to this passage is predicated on the notion that the Torah is "not to difficult" for us to understand. Of course, the Rabbi's teach us the exact opposite. They claim it is complex and difficult to understand and the Torah can't be properly kept without their "oral Torah". What a joke!
But thats not all! It actually gets worse. Lets look at the next soundbite of the Torah that the Rabbi's cherry picked:
Exodus 23:2 - The Rabbi's have really outdone themselves this time. They claim we are to "follow the multitude" meaning "the Rabbi's" and that is what this passage means. So lets read the passage and see if it says that.
1Thou shalt not utter a false report; put not thy hand with the
wicked to be an unrighteous witness.
2Thou shalt
not follow the multitude to do evil; neither shalt thou bear witness in a cause to
turn aside after a multitude to pervert justice; Ex 23: 1-2
Did you catch it?? The very verse that Rabbi's use to claim we must all "follow the multitude" IS ACTUALLY SAYING THE EXACT OPPOSITE!!
It is telling us NOT to follow the multitude and not to follow the wicked majority!! What a joke!
