Judaism Decoded Lesson 5 Recap
Introduction Secular law is constantly changing to adapt to new circumstances and situations. Is the concept of change possible in any part of Jewish Law, Written or the Oral Tradition? The Written Torah and Received Law The written Torah and the Received element of the Oral Law, given directly by G-d to Moshe at Sinai, are not subject to change. This is one of the principles of Jewish belief. But why is change not possible when dealing with a different situation than the one that existed at Mt. Sinai? The Torah expresses G-d’s wisdom and will. Just as G-d transcends creation and time, so does His wisdom and will—the Torah. The Torah is not simply a response to ancient circumstances but is an eternal law. As G-d does not change, His wisdom and will do not change either. Modifying either the Written Torah or the Received Oral Torah would leave us with a new product, one that is not an expression of G-d’s wisdom and will. And as the Torah is the blueprint or inner code of creation, the world is a reflection of Torah and not vice versa. Even Heaven Can't Change Torah Even a proven prophet or a new divine message cannot change the Torah as it was given at Sinai. However in a few select situations, law was suspended in order to save people. Conclusion The Written Torah and its Received Law is not subject to change. Derived Law technically could change with a Sanhedrin that comes to a different conclusion than a previous Sanhedrin. Rabbinical law can be changed by a group of sages exceeding those who originally enacted the law.
To save a life and in select situation, preserve a community, parts of the derived and legislated elements of the Oral tradition have been temporarily suspended.












