Q&A: Sadducees and Karaites
Sadducees and Karaites
Question
Hello
Regarding the tradition of the Oral Torah, it is well known that for a long time during the period of the prophets people did not observe the Torah, so how can one say that there is a tradition?
And furthermore, it says, "Do not add to the thing," etc. How is it possible to accept the enactments of the Sages? (I know the answers of Maimonides and Rabbi Judah Halevi, and that is not enough.)
Answer
Fortunate are you, for the paths of the firmament are known to you like the streets of Nehardea. I do not know this. But if you know it, then you surely also know the answer to your question.
Your question about "do not add" was already answered by the medieval authorities (Rishonim). The Torah that forbade adding also instructed the Sages to make a safeguard for its safeguard, and to institute enactments and decrees. So I do not see a question here.