The Pirkei Avot teaches that the oral tradition/oral laws were passed down from Moshe to Joshua, etc. And since they weren't codified into the Mishnah until about 200 CE, it's pretty difficult to ascertain when the oral tradition first began. (This writer's own best guess is that the oral tradition began sometime during the Babylonian captivity).

In Scripture one reads of the various kings ... "so-in-so did evil in the sight of the L-rd and the people turned to idols...." -- then there would be a good king and all would be restored again. Who kept the oral traditions alive to pass on during these times when even written Torah had been forsaken?

If Joshua really received the oral law from Moshe, why doesn't Scripture tell us so? Why does Joshua only teach the people what was written in the Torah and not the oral part? Read Joshua 8:30-34 below:

"Then Joshua built an altar unto the LORD, the God of Israel, in mount Ebal, as Moses the servant of the LORD commanded the children of Israel, as it is written in the book of the law of Moses, an altar of unhewn stones, upon which no man had lifted up any iron; and they offered thereon burnt-offerings unto the LORD, and sacrificed peace-offerings. And he wrote there upon the stones a copy of the law of Moses, which he wrote before the children of Israel. And all Israel, and their elders and officers, and their judges, stood on this side the ark and on that side before the priests the Levites, that bore the ark of the covenant of the LORD, as well the stranger as the home-born; half of them in front of mount Gerizim and half of them in front of mount Ebal; as Moses the servant of the LORD had commanded at the first, that they should bless the people of Israel. And afterward he read all the words of the law, the blessing and the curse, according to all that is written in the book of the law."

Also in Joshua 23:6, when Joshua is old and near his death, he cautioned the people:

"Therefore be ye very courageous to keep and to do all that is written in the book of the law of Moses, that ye turn not aside therefrom to the right hand or to the left."

Joshua makes no mention of the oral laws he supposedly received, nor is any attempt shown on his part to pass it along to others who would follow.

What Does Torah Say About Adding To Its Contents?

"Ye shall not add unto the word which I command you, neither shall ye diminish ought from it, that ye may keep the commandments of the LORD your God which I command you." Deuteronomy 4:2
"What thing soever I command you, observe to do it: thou shalt not add thereto, nor diminish from it." Deuteronomy 12:32

Not only does Scripture not mention any oral law being given alongside the written Torah, it goes further to warn NOT to add to written Torah.

What Do The Prophets Say About Oral Law (Traditions)?

For the LORD hath poured out upon you the spirit of deep sleep, and hath closed your eyes: the prophets and your rulers, the seers hath he covered. And the vision of all is become unto you as the words of a book that is sealed, which men deliver to one that is learned, saying, Read this, I pray thee: and he saith, I cannot; for it is sealed: And the book is delivered to him that is not learned, saying, Read this, I pray thee: and he saith, I am not learned. Wherefore the Lord said, Forasmuch as this people draw near me with their mouth, and with their lips do honour me, but have removed their heart far from me, and their fear toward me is taught by the precept of men: Therefore, behold, I will proceed to do a marvellous work among this people, even a marvellous work and a wonder: for the wisdom of their wise men shall perish, and the understanding of their prudent men shall be hid. Woe unto them that seek deep to hide their counsel from the LORD, and their works are in the dark, and they say, Who seeth us? and who knoweth us? Isaiah 29:10-15

This sad passage indicates a time when Israel will be blind -- Scripture will be a book of confusion, yet the laws of men (oral tradition) will be understood without difficulty. This speaks of a people who appear pious, yet lack true understanding of G-d's Word -- they are blind. Modern Judaism appears godly, yet is unable to acknowledge Yeshua's messiahship and relies instead on the teachings from the Talmud, believing these teachings to be Torah.

What Does Yeshua Say About Oral Law (Traditions)?

"But he answered and said unto them, Why do ye also transgress the commandment of God by your tradition?" Matthew 15:3

"And he said unto them, Full well ye reject the commandment of God, that ye may keep your own tradition." Mark 7:9

"Making the word of God of none effect through your tradition, which ye have delivered: and many such like things do ye." Mark 7:13

What Do The Apostles Say About Oral Law (Traditions)?

"Neither give heed to fables and endless genealogies, which minister questions, rather than godly edifying which is in faith: so do. Now the end of the commandment is charity out of a pure heart, and of a good conscience, and of faith unfeigned: From which some having swerved have turned aside unto vain jangling; Desiring to be teachers of the law; understanding neither what they say, nor whereof they affirm. But we know that the law is good, if a man use it lawfully." 1 Tim 1:4-8

"But avoid foolish questions, and genealogies, and contentions, and strivings about the law; for they are unprofitable and vain. A man that is an heretick after the first and second admonition reject; Knowing that he that is such is subverted, and sinneth, being condemned of himself." Titus 3:9-11

Many Messianics are giving too much weight to oral law -- it simply isn't equal to Scripture! How can it be in our efforts to teach Yeshua to those in traditional Judaism, that Messianics are instead picking up their belief in Talmud? This isn't right. 1 Peter 4:17 cautions us:

"For the time is come that judgment must begin at the house of God: and if it first begin at us, what shall the end be of them that obey not the gospel of God?"

Talmud has its place: it shows how the rabbis originally interpreted some scripture, and it can help us understand idioms and traditions of the past. But Scripture simply doesn't support it was given to Joshua from Moshe or that oral law is also inspired. To the contrary, we are warned to be on guard against it.

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