On Jul 18, 5:29 pm, "michael adams"  wrote:
> "CP"  wrote in message
>
> news:a927a220-157e-4801-9dad-bd27ccd94f52@f40g2000pri.googlegroups.com...
>
> - No, Mr Mikey, it isn't. I said that there is no explicit reference in
> - the first five books of the Bible to matrilineal descent, and this is
> - quite clear. That Talmudic scholars later interpreted the verses in
> - Deuteronomy to deduce the principle of matrilineal descent is a
> - different matter entirely.
>
> It's not a different matter entirely, at all.
>
> Not if you accept, as you say you do that Orthodox Judaism is an
> authentic manifestation of the Divine will.
>
> The Talmud can only ever interpret what's already there. It doesn't add
> anything. Or take anything away.
>
> What the Talmud is saying is that this is what those verses mean and have
> always meant, since they were first given by Moses.
>
> There aren't two versions, one with a "hazy meaning" before the Talmudic
> scholars started their interpretations, and a later "explicit" version after
> they finally found out what it all meant.
>
> The Talmud is saying that those verses have always specifically stated
> that matrilineal descent should be used as a determinant of a child's
> Jewishness.
>
> Not that the Talmud somehow came along later and made it all clear.
>
> This is what Orthodox Jews actually believe.
>
> To an outsider, those verses clearly don't specifically state that
> matrilineal descent should be used as a determinant of a child's
> Jewishness.
>
> Just as to an outsider, the idea that a piece of bread should represent
> the body of Christ, as Catholics believe is equally dificult to comprehend.
>
> However it was you yourself who just posted that -
>
> "I consider Orthodox Judaism to be an authentic manifestation of the
> Divine will."
>
> And so you're not an outsider yourself either, any more I'm afraid.
>
> The Orthodox Jews believe that those verses in Deuteronomy have always
> specifically stated that matrilineal descent should be used as a
> determinant of a child's Jewishness. And always have done. Only it
> required the Talmud to point it out.

ROFL

This post would have experts in exegesis the world over pissing
themselves. If I had the time, I'd circulate it.