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Christians adamantly reject rabbinical traditions such as the Talmud, arguing that it is not “inspired by God.”
To support their argument, they cite passages like Matthew 15:3, 9, where Jesus thusly condemned the religious leaders of his day:
“And why do you break the command of God for the sake of your tradition?…They worship me in vain; their teachings are merely human rules.”
Mark 7, starting with verse 5, also states:
"Then the Pharisees and scribes asked him [Jesus], 'Why walk not thy disciples according to the tradition of the elders, but eat bread with unwashen hands?' He answered and said unto them, 'Well hath Esaias prophesied of you hypocrites, as it is written, This people honoureth me with their lips, but their heart is far from me. Howbeit in vain do they worship me, teaching for doctrines the commandments of men. For laying aside the commandment of God, ye hold the tradition of men, as the washing of pots and cups: and many other such like things ye do.' And he said unto them, 'Full well ye reject the commandment of God, that ye may keep your own tradition....Making the word of God of none effect through your tradition, which ye have delivered: and many such like things do ye.'"
Though the Talmud did not exist in Christ’s day in the exact form we have it in today, its teachings, and many of its sayings, certainly did.
In fact, the very traditions Christ was condemning in the last passage cited were Talmudic traditions.
Authoritative Jewish sources actually admit this.
For example:
- “The Jewish religion as it is today traces its descent, without a break, through all the centuries, from the Pharisees. Their leading ideas and methods found expression in a literature of enormous extent, of which a very great deal is still in existence. The Talmud is the largest and most important single piece of that literature...and the study of it is essential for any real understanding of Pharisaism.” (“Pharisees,” Universal Jewish Encyclopedia, 1943.)
It's a very puzzling prospect that Christ would condemn Talmudic traditions, when
the New Testament records many statements made by Christ that actually originated with rabbinical tradition, which became enshrined in the Talmud.
And keep in mind that the Pharisees, who invented the Talmud, were founded in 167 BC, so it cannot be said the Talmud was quoting from Christ (which is something that no Rabbi would ever do anyway).
Let’s have a look at this strange phenomenon of Christ quoting from Pharisaic / Talmudic writings.
Christ quoting from the Talmud
Jesus: “Blessed are the poor in spirit.”
Talmud: “More acceptable to the Lord than sacrifice is the humble spirit.”
Jesus: “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called the children of God.”
Talmud: “Whoso maketh peace among his fellow-men enjoyeth the fruit thereof here, and shall reap his reward also in the world to come.”
Christians adamantly reject rabbinical traditions such as the Talmud, arguing that it is not “inspired by God.”
To support their argument, they cite passages like Matthew 15:3, 9, where Jesus thusly condemned the religious leaders of his day:
“And why do you break the command of God for the sake of your tradition?…They worship me in vain; their teachings are merely human rules.”
Mark 7, starting with verse 5, also states:
"Then the Pharisees and scribes asked him [Jesus], 'Why walk not thy disciples according to the tradition of the elders, but eat bread with unwashen hands?' He answered and said unto them, 'Well hath Esaias prophesied of you hypocrites, as it is written, This people honoureth me with their lips, but their heart is far from me. Howbeit in vain do they worship me, teaching for doctrines the commandments of men. For laying aside the commandment of God, ye hold the tradition of men, as the washing of pots and cups: and many other such like things ye do.' And he said unto them, 'Full well ye reject the commandment of God, that ye may keep your own tradition....Making the word of God of none effect through your tradition, which ye have delivered: and many such like things do ye.'"
Though the Talmud did not exist in Christ’s day in the exact form we have it in today, its teachings, and many of its sayings, certainly did.
In fact, the very traditions Christ was condemning in the last passage cited were Talmudic traditions.
Authoritative Jewish sources actually admit this.
For example:
- “The Jewish religion as it is today traces its descent, without a break, through all the centuries, from the Pharisees. Their leading ideas and methods found expression in a literature of enormous extent, of which a very great deal is still in existence. The Talmud is the largest and most important single piece of that literature...and the study of it is essential for any real understanding of Pharisaism.” (“Pharisees,” Universal Jewish Encyclopedia, 1943.)
It's a very puzzling prospect that Christ would condemn Talmudic traditions, when
the New Testament records many statements made by Christ that actually originated with rabbinical tradition, which became enshrined in the Talmud.
And keep in mind that the Pharisees, who invented the Talmud, were founded in 167 BC, so it cannot be said the Talmud was quoting from Christ (which is something that no Rabbi would ever do anyway).
Let’s have a look at this strange phenomenon of Christ quoting from Pharisaic / Talmudic writings.
Christ quoting from the Talmud
Jesus: “Blessed are the poor in spirit.”
Talmud: “More acceptable to the Lord than sacrifice is the humble spirit.”
Jesus: “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called the children of God.”
Talmud: “Whoso maketh peace among his fellow-men enjoyeth the fruit thereof here, and shall reap his reward also in the world to come.”
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