Q&A: The Reliability of the Tradition Despite Its Being Written Down
The Reliability of the Tradition Despite Its Being Written Down
Question
Hello Rabbi, I looked through the fifth booklet and didn’t find an answer to my question…
If the Jewish tradition had been transmitted by word of mouth throughout the generations, I think Saadia Gaon’s claim that the many do not err or lie would have been enough for me. But since the entire tradition (the parts not subject to dispute) is already written down, it is clear why the many do not err: because they all read from the same book. And the book is a lone piece of testimony, so I don’t understand how we can rely on it on the strength of its testimony.
Answer
First, I do not rely on that argument alone. Second, the book accompanies the tradition, but I do not see why you assume that the tradition relies on the book.
Discussion on Answer
I join the question. The witness argument loses much of its main force if there was a book that “held up” the transmission of the testimony.
Later there will be a vote, and then it will be decided once and for all.
I didn’t mean to vote, only to “bump” the topic (indeed, I accept the rebuke regarding the wording).
The Rabbi wrote in his first response, “why do you assume that the tradition relies on the book.” Indeed, the tradition does not *rely* on the book, but it is *supported* by the book. The tradition did not necessarily pass from father to son; rather, life among the Jewish people revolved around the book. Doesn’t that detract from the force of the witness argument?
In my opinion, no. When you want a tradition to be preserved, you write it down. And if throughout the generations the book is passed along together with a tradition, that is excellent. That way people can fill in details if they forgot them. It ensures accuracy and does not replace the tradition. Like the writing down of the Oral Torah, and like any history book written in order to preserve the memory of events.
Because in the end mistakes would not emerge, since each person—even if he heard a slightly different version—would read the book and adjust himself accordingly..