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To: Zack Attack
When Paul says not to pay heed to another gospel, I'm sure you pay attention. When YHWH says the same about anyone teaching another Torah, I pay attention. That is why I test all things to see whether they contradict Torah.

It would be most helpful and appreciated if you could let us know which of several usages of the word "Torah" is in effect here. You keep using the term, but you never define it for the reader - and it does have more than one meaning within Jewish literature and culture.

It could be used to refer strictly to the Written Law, what we Christians would refer to as the Old Testament (and in some usages "Torah" refers specifically to the five books of Moses). Or (and I find this to be the form used most often) it could be used to include both the Written Law as well as the Oral Law (which is called the Talmud). And there's another, similar possibility that could be considered. You could be specifically referring to Rabbi Maimonides' multi-volume Mishneh Torah, which is more of a Written+Oral+commentary work.

Now if you're using one of the latter forms, it begs the question "which work do you hold to be more authoritative over the other" - the Written Law or the Oral Law? If it's the latter, why?

48 posted on 09/10/2004 3:41:49 PM PDT by Alex Murphy (Psalm 73)
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To: Alex Murphy
It would be most helpful and appreciated if you could let us know which of several usages of the word "Torah" is in effect here. You keep using the term, but you never define it for the reader - and it does have more than one meaning within Jewish literature and culture.

I apologize. Yes, Torah has a wide range of meaning. Each commandment can be called a torah on it's own, torah of the priests, torah of the offerings, etc. I choose to use Torah, because I don't consider 'Law' to be the most accurate translation.

I'm referring to a very general meaning, not inclusive of extra-Biblical sources, where Torah means the teachings, counsel and instruction of YHWH from the root word 'yarah', to point towards, teach, likened to shooting an arrow at a target. There is a significant connection between various derivatives of yarah.

Torah (tav-vav-resh-hey) = teaching
Moreh (mem-vav-resh-hey) = teacher
Orah (aleph-vav-resh-hey) = light, lumination, enlightenment (ie - what following the teaching brings forth)

Prov 6:23 For the commandment [is] a lamp; and the torah [is] light; and reproofs of instruction [are] the way of life:

However, I think the following verse conveys the meaning as I use it very well.

Prov 6:20 My son, keep thy father's commandment, and forsake not the torah of thy mother:

Hope that helps clarify how I am using the term Torah.

Blessings

74 posted on 09/11/2004 6:11:44 AM PDT by Zack Attack
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