Who Were The Pharisees? 

Chapter 7: The Living Torah: The Pharisaic Tradition of Expansion

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The Pharisaic logic of "Expanding the Word" through the Mishnah and Gemara.

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Description: Central to Pharisaic thought was the belief that the Written Torah required an Oral Tradition to be lived out in every generation. This chapter explores how the "fencing" of the Law in the Mishnah and the commentary of the Gemara provided a blueprint for Jewish life. By comparing these traditional expansions to Yeshua’s teachings in Matthew 5, we see that his focus on the "heart of the matter" was a masterful application of Pharisaic interpretation, deepening the commandment to ensure total devotion to the Father.

 

​In the Jewish Oral Law, you can find many instances where a law is quoted and then expanded upon. This can be seen primarily in the Mishnah and the Gemara, which together form the Talmud.

One example is in Tractate Shabbat, where the Mishnah discusses the laws of observing Shabbat (the Sabbath). The Mishnah will often state a basic law regarding what is or isn't permitted on Shabbat, and then the Gemara will provide additional commentary, explanations, and even debates among rabbis about the implications and applications of that law.

For instance, the Mishnah in Shabbat 7:2 lists the prohibited activities (melachot) on Shabbat. The Gemara then goes into detail, discussing each of these activities, providing interpretations, and sometimes adding further restrictions or conditions.

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In Matthew 5, during the Sermon on the Mount, Yeshua often quotes Written Law and then provides further interpretation or expansion on it, similar to the way the Jewish Oral Law adds to or elaborates on written laws. This can be seen in a series of statements where He says, "You have heard that it was said... But I tell you..." Here are a few examples:

1. Murder and Anger:

   • Written Law: "You shall not murder" (Exodus 20:13; Deuteronomy 5:17).

   • Yeshua's Expansion: "But I tell you that anyone who is angry with a brother or sister will be subject to judgment..." (Matthew 5:21-22).

2. Adultery and Lust:

   • Written Law: "You shall not commit adultery" (Exodus 20:14; Deuteronomy 5:18).

   • Yeshua's Expansion: "But I tell you that anyone who looks at a woman lustfully has already committed adultery with her in his heart" (Matthew 5:27-28).

3. Oaths:

   • Written Law: "Do not break your oath, but fulfill to the Lord the vows you have made" (Numbers 30:2).

   • Yeshua's Expansion: "But I tell you, do not swear an oath at all... All you need to say is simply ‘Yes’ or ‘No’" (Matthew 5:33-37).

4. Retaliation and Forgiveness:

   • Written Law: "Eye for eye, tooth for tooth" (Exodus 21:24; Leviticus 24:20; Deuteronomy 19:21).

   • Yeshua's Expansion: "But I tell you, do not resist an evil person. If anyone slaps you on the right cheek, turn to them the other cheek also" (Matthew 5:38-39).

5. Love for Enemies:

   • Written Law: "Love your neighbor and hate your enemy" (not a direct quote from the Torah but an interpretation found in the Oral Law).

   • Yeshua's Expansion: "But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you" (Matthew 5:43-44).

In these examples, Yeshua quotes a familiar law or teaching and then deepens or intensifies its meaning, often focusing on the underlying intentions and attitudes rather than just the external actions. This method is similar to how the Jewish Oral Law elaborates on the Written Law, providing context, interpretation, and additional layers of meaning.

Here are a few examples from the Jewish Oral Law where a written law is quoted and then expanded upon, like the way Yeshua did in Matthew 5:

1. Keeping Kosher (Kashrut):

   • Written Law: "You shall not boil a young goat in its mother's milk" (Exodus 23:19, 34:26; Deuteronomy 14:21).

   • Oral Law Expansion: The Mishnah and Gemara elaborate on this, leading to the prohibition of mixing meat and dairy products altogether, and instituting various rules for kosher kitchens to keep meat and dairy separate (Mishnah Hullin 8:4; Gemara Hullin 104b-105a).

2. Shabbat Observance:

   • Written Law: "Remember the Sabbath day by keeping it holy" (Exodus 20:8).

   • Oral Law Expansion: The Mishnah lists the categories of work prohibited on Shabbat, including specific activities like plowing, sewing, and kindling a fire (Mishnah Shabbat 7:2). The Gemara further elaborates on these categories, providing detailed discussions on what constitutes "work" and various scenarios that might arise.

3. Honoring Parents:

   • Written Law: "Honor your father and your mother" (Exodus 20:12; Deuteronomy 5:16).

   • Oral Law Expansion: The Talmud discusses what honoring parents entails, including providing for their needs, showing respect in speech and behavior, and even how to balance this obligation with other commandments (Kiddushin 30b-32a).

4. Charity (Tzedakah):

   • Written Law: "You shall open wide your hand to your brother, to the needy and to the poor, in your land" (Deuteronomy 15:11).

   • Oral Law Expansion: The Talmud outlines various guidelines for giving charity, such as how much one should give, who qualifies as a worthy recipient, and the attitude one should have when giving (Bava Batra 8b-10a).​

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In these examples, the Oral Law takes a written commandment from the Torah and expands upon it, providing additional details, interpretations, and practical applications.

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This method of elaboration is how Yeshua deepened and intensified the meanings of the laws in Matthew 5.