“If you want to understand the traditions of Israel, you have to read the people that recorded their history.”
I’m much more concerned about the teachings of God than the traditions of Israel. Those teachings are pretty clear that it is the spirit of a thing which determines whether it is holy or not holy. So, I’m afraid you’re never going to get anywhere trying to tell me that outward things are inherently unholy. Some activities simply can’t be done in a good spirit (fornication, murder, idolatry, etc), and God has told us all about these, many times. A handshake, however, is not one of these things. It can be done in a good spirit, or representative of something unholy, but the act itself is not the issue.
“Your La, la, la denial is making you look foolish!”
I really don’t mind looking foolish. I’m not that proud that I can’t suffer a little ridicule. If it makes you feel better, have at it.
The traditions are in most cases based on the word of God.
All of the English translations are weak on the facts that are necessary to truly understand the complete word of God. That is why a critical reading of Talnud is profitable.
Even the KJV and Geneva are short on telling the fullness of the word. The so-called “modern” translations almost completely veil it. The word of God is hidden in plain sight.