Judaism

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Oral law

The Concise Oxford Dictionary of World Religions | 1997 | | Copyright

Oral law (Heb., torah she-beʿal-peh). The (in origin) orally transmitted interpretation of the Jewish written law. According to the rabbis, there are two parts of Torah ‘one written and one oral’ (ARN 15. 61). Traditionally both Torahs were given to Moses on Mount Sinai. Oral Torah was studied in the academies and eventually collected together and written down by Judah ha-Nasi in the 2nd cent. CE (see MISHNAH). Subsequently, commentary and interpretation of the Mishnah were recorded in the Talmud (6th cent.). In the modern era, the Progressive movements have largely rejected the belief in the divine origin of Jewish law and are therefore ready to disregard any halakhic provisions which conflict with modern secular values.

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JOHN BOWKER. "Oral law." The Concise Oxford Dictionary of World Religions. 1997. Encyclopedia.com. 1 Jun. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>.

JOHN BOWKER. "Oral law." The Concise Oxford Dictionary of World Religions. 1997. Encyclopedia.com. (June 1, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O101-Orallaw.html

JOHN BOWKER. "Oral law." The Concise Oxford Dictionary of World Religions. 1997. Retrieved June 01, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O101-Orallaw.html

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Oral Law

The Oxford Dictionary of Phrase and Fable | 2006 | | Copyright

Oral Law the part of Jewish religious law believed to have been passed down by oral tradition before being collected in the Mishnah.

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ELIZABETH KNOWLES. "Oral Law." The Oxford Dictionary of Phrase and Fable. 2006. Encyclopedia.com. 1 Jun. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>.

ELIZABETH KNOWLES. "Oral Law." The Oxford Dictionary of Phrase and Fable. 2006. Encyclopedia.com. (June 1, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O214-OralLaw.html

ELIZABETH KNOWLES. "Oral Law." The Oxford Dictionary of Phrase and Fable. 2006. Retrieved June 01, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O214-OralLaw.html

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