Law of Moses

Definition and Significance

• Law of Moses: Also known as the Mosaic Law or Torah of Moses.
• Revealed to Moses by God, as per religious texts.
• Primarily refers to the Torah (first five books of the Hebrew Bible).
• Also called the Pentateuch in English.

Biblical References

• First mentioned in the Book of Joshua.
• Occurs 15 times in the Hebrew Bible and 7 times in the New Testament.
• Integral to Second Temple period, intertestamental, rabbinical, and patristic literature.

Modern Usage and Interpretation

• "Torah" can indicate:
  • First five books of the Tanakh.
  • Instructions and commandments in the 2nd to 5th books of the Hebrew Bible.
  • Entire Tanakh or all of the Oral Law.
• Among English-speaking Christians, "The Law" may refer to the whole Pentateuch.

Law in the Ancient Near East

• Differentiated from other codes (e.g., Sumerian, Babylonian) by viewing transgressions as offenses against God.
• Influenced by ancient Near Eastern legal tradition (e.g., lex talionis).
• Some scholars suggest direct influence from Laws of Hammurabi.
• Israelite Sabbatical Year and Akkadian mesharum edicts share similarities.
• Ancient Israel was a theocracy before the monarchy, portraying God as a king.

Moses and Authorship

• Traditionally, the first five books are attributed to Moses.
• Modern scholars suggest multiple authors.
• Moses' laws considered supreme over kings and officials.
• Levites were guardians and interpreters of the law.

Contents of the Law

• Found in Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, and reiterated in Deuteronomy.
• Includes:
  • The Ten Commandments.
  • Moral, social, food, and purity laws.
  • Feasts and festivals (e.g., Passover, Feast of Weeks).
  • Sacrifices and offerings.
  • Instructions for priesthood and temple construction.

Rabbinical Interpretation

• Oral Torah passed down and codified in Rabbinical Judaism.
• Comprised of 613 commandments.
• Laws exclusive to Jews, except for Seven Laws of Noah for all people.

Christian Interpretation

• Varies among denominations:
  • Some see the Law as fully effective and transformed.
  • Others distinguish between moral and ceremonial laws, or believe none apply.
  • Dual-covenant theologians believe Old Covenant is valid only for Jews.

Islamic Perspective

• Moses viewed as a major prophet.
• The Law (Torah) is one of the three major scriptures, alongside the Quran.
• Torah referenced 18 times in the Quran, repeating some commandments.

Historical and Cultural Impact

• Enlightenment led to criticism of Mosaic Law due to its association with authoritarianism.
• Influenced attacks on Church authority during the Enlightenment.
• Polemics by philosophers like Pierre Bayle against Old Testament figures and laws.

Related Media

• Media and further resources on the Law of Moses are available on platforms like Wikimedia Commons and the Jewish Encyclopedia.

References

• Includes various scholars and their works cited throughout the article, such as John Van Seters and David P. Wright.