Let's start with the parts of the talmud that are commentaries on the Tanakh and life in general. These would be the areas a scholar would find most helpful, correct? How much of that is reported to come from before the 1st century AD? Before the 3rd century? And how much of the total talmud is it?
A large part of the Tanakh is setting up the rules and traditions that the Jews were to live by, and is not applicable to messianics. How much of the talmud is that?
Parts of the talmud are specifically anti-gentile, anti-Christian, or anti-Yeshua. How much of the talmud comprises these views?
Shalom Pat,
The notion that nothing was written prior to the first century is a little naive, don't you think? The Jews were meticulous record keepers. Try to think of Talmud and in fact, the entirety of the ancient written works of the Jews as a compilation that encompasses not only scripture, but all aspects of government and daily life.
In the search for context, none of the ancient works of the Jews should be off limits. However, all of it should be read with a discerning eye and the help of others that have more than a rudimentary understanding of them.
I am going to return to my forensics example for a moment. Let's say that I am an investigator (which I am, just not a criminal investigator). In the course of an investigation of a radical group with views very much different than my own, I come across their hidden manifesto. It is sent to the lab where various forensic specialists pour over it in detail. They can determine who handled it from fingerprints and DNA. From trace analysis of the prints, they determine what was on the hands of those that touched it, yielding more information. Profilers try to determine the personality and mental state of the authors, while linguistic experts and computer programs try to determine what other works they may also have written. They identify catch phrases, buzz words and idioms that are only defined in this document, greatly assisting in the understanding of the interpersonal communication of this very closed society.
In time, these reports land on my desk. They were sent to me to assist me in apprehending these individuals. I also have information about these peoples activities, habits and known associates. But my expertise is different from the 'lab rats'. I too can determine a great many things about these individuals and how they conform to society and the law. Part of my job is to determine their behavior as it applies on the 'street level'. And now that I know the hidden meaning of some of their words and phrases, I get a better feeling for their motivations and reactions to everyday stimuli. By taking all of this information into account, I can extrapolate information I might never have guessed, that may help me in my task of 'getting it and getting them'.
I see my supervisor crossing the noisy squad room and sing out with my hand in the air, 'Hey, Lieutenant Lee, I need a copy of the manifesto to read.'
The squad room falls silent. Everyone looks away, as if they know something I don't. My boss looks at his hands first and shifts his stance to partially sit on the desk he had been standing next to and slowly replies, "Parts of the hidden manifesto of this radical group of extremists are specifically anti-human, anti-social, or anti-law enforcement. I don't think that you should read it."
Whoa! Shades of Jack Nicholson saying, "You want the truth? You can't handle the truth".
Pat, you are right to be cautious. Some people are not mature enough in their faith to read anything other than scripture and the carefully edited contextual teachings of others. But I am not young in my beliefs or weak in my faith. I can read things critical of the truth and not be shaken, but I confess that when I do it grieves me in my spirit. So for your warning I would say, thank you for your concern.
Blessings,
