The ability of every person to read & study
Scripture for himself is a great thing, but every silver lining has a
cloud. Technology has enabled everyone to portray themselves as
authoritative theologians. Even that isn't a problem except that wolves,
sheep, and shepherd alike can all use the same tools and they all look
an awfully lot alike.
I've been interacting with someone over
the last few days--evidently a descendant of Aaron, a cohen--who says
that nobody but a Levite is authorized to own a copy of the Torah or to
interpret God's Law in any way. His tactics are dirty and manipulative:
subtle misuses of the English language, bold assertions with a veneer of
legitimacy, mocking dismissal of dissenters, and fallacious logic that
could easily fool someone who isn't paying close attention.
It's
fantastic that we can all read and study for ourselves, just make sure
you actually do that and never take any "teacher" at his bare word,
especially a teacher who says that you could never understand Scripture
without him.
"For this commandment which I command you today is
not hidden from you, neither is it far off. It is not in Heaven, that
you should say, Who shall go up for us to Heaven, and bring it to us, so
that we may hear it and do it? Nor is it beyond the sea, that you
should say, Who shall go over the sea for us to the region beyond the
sea, and bring it to us, so that we may hear it and do it? But the Word
is very near you, in your mouth and in your heart, so that you may do
it. (Deuteronomy 30:11-14)"
"who says that nobody but a Levite is authorized to own a copy of the Torah or to interpret God's Law in any way"
ReplyDeleteGuy's a liar. That isn't how Judaism works. Talmud study has its downsides, but its very existence as a widespread part of Jewish culture shows the lie here.
His lies are obvious, yet there are still a lot of people who might believe him because they are governed by their emotions.
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