Q&A: The Eternity of the Torah
The Eternity of the Torah
Question
1. What is the proof that the words of the Torah are for all generations, forever?
2. Assuming the Torah is eternal, why does it contain things that are not relevant to us? Such as slaves, leprosy, and the like?
3. Assuming the Torah is eternal, why do many things that seemingly are not important appear in it, such as the detailed listing of the journeys, the tedious repetition of the princes' offerings, and the like?
Answer
- This is a tradition that we have received.
- Everything is relevant to us. Not always for practical implementation (even the stubborn and rebellious son is not for implementation). But even if not—you are not correct. See Maimonides in positive commandment 187.
- I have no idea. As far as I am concerned, the entire non-halakhic part of the Torah is tedious repetition, because we learn nothing from it.
Discussion on Answer
I have no idea. For both of those purposes there are better sources, but fine.
In your view, if the Torah's purpose is purely to instruct in Jewish law, shouldn't the Hebrew Bible have begun only with "This month shall be for you"?
In principle, yes. But I do not understand the significance of the rest, so it is hard to determine this definitively.
Regarding #3: Maybe it's so that we can learn from there, first, history, and second, morality.
Do you agree with that?