Foundational Concepts
Start here for foundational essays exploring authority for Torah-only observance, and interpretive aids
Foundations of Authority and Interpretation
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Different Interpretive Models
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Am I my Own Rabbi?
May I directly read and interpret written Torah, or must I understand it through the Oral Law according to rabbinic tradition?
Interpretive Aids
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The Text, Inference, Analogy, and Interpretation
Be careful to distinguish between text-based conclusions, reasonable textual inferences, and interpretive deviation from the text through analogy or metaphor.
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Portions Which Can be Read Literally and Figuratively
Some portions can be read literally, for example, bind teffilfin to your hand and between your eyes, or figuratively, bind Torah to your conduct and remember Torah to orient what you see. Our job is to do so honestly in discovering proper observance.
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Resolving Ambiguities: Community Best or Invitation to Struggle
Torah certainly contains some ambiguity. In my own view, that invites us to struggle with its meaning. What do you think is more important to God, finding the absolute best answer even if it means adopting someone else’s interpretation, or honestly struggling to find our own answer?
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Atonement Addresses Errors in Application as Well as Interpretation
We should not be discouraged from making our own struggle to interpret and apply written Torah. If we make a mistake, Torah allows us to atone.
Videos Addressing Torah-only Observance
Torah Basics
Rabbi Dan Moses gives an excellent basic primer on what the Torah represents, and how it relates to rabbinic tradition.
As Between Written Torah and Oral Law
Rabbi Israel Horowitz engages in a lively debate whether the Oral Law that is the basis of rabbinic tradition is the legitimate law of God, or is it manmade interpretation which impermissibly adds and subtracts from written Torah.
Oral Law Explained
The Jewish Learning Institute argues the written word is the least accurate way to convey a message if an oral tradition does not accompany it. Thus, the lack of detail in written Torah necessarily means the Oral Law must have been given at the same time.