Wednesday 26 November 2014

Joshua and the "Oral" Law

It is a central tenet of Orthodox Judaism that Moses transmitted the "oral law" to Joshua.   However, the Karaites reject this claim.  There is a very simple way to determine the validity or falsity of this claim. It can be done by reading the Book of Joshua. In the very first chapter we see:

7 Only be strong and very courageous, to observe to do according to all the law, which Moses My servant commanded thee; turn not from it to the right hand or to the left, that thou mayest have good success whithersoever thou goest.

8 This book of the law shall not depart out of thy mouth, but thou shalt meditate therein day and night, that thou mayest observe to do according to all that is written therein; for then thou shalt make thy ways prosperous, and then thou shalt have good success. 



V. 7 speaks of "all the Law", and that we (Israel) should not turn to the right (Orthodoxy) or the left (Reform) of it.    V. 8  speaks of the same law, and clarifies it is talking of the Book of Law, and that we should do according to what is Written in it!   Had there been the fictional oral law of the rabbis, then the instruction would be quite different.   Rabbis make a song and dance of the use of the word "mouth" to  suggest that it refers to an oral law. But the only "Oral" law is the written Law when we read it! 

Thus, Joshua held by Written law only.

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