Shmuel Silberman writes:
“The article more than once refers to Torah MiSinai, but that term is about the Oral Torah, not the Written Torah. It is obvious that much of the Written Torah includes events in Moshe's lifetime that are post-Sinai. The main issue is Torah Min Hashamayim, a different conceptâ€.
Rabbi Silberman is correct in pointing out that Torah Min HaShamayim (the eighth principle of the Rambam) is different than Torah MiSinai. However, it is not true that Torah MiSinai refers merely to the Oral Torah. The Ramban explains that Torah MiSinai is a fundamental precept underlying all 613 Mitzvos, and the Mitzvos should not be performed merely as commands, but instead, as our own connection to G-d, and as Torah MiSinai. The “Yom Chatunato†which has been revealed at Sinai, defines the Sinai experience - ‘our eyes and hearts should remain there forever†– never to be forgotten (a Mitzvat LoTaaseh), and underscores the practice of each of the Torah’s Mitzvot. This connection is what we celebrate on Chag HaShavuot. The Luchot may have been lost, but the Sinai experience remains as the basis for Mattan Torah.
The events of the Torah that are ‘post-Sinai' has no impact on this. The written Torah itself is timeless and eternal - though the revelation may have occurred at different times and places, and in varied forms and contexts. This is why Chazal can state the Avot observed the Torah, or that the Torah itself precedes creation.
Heshy Grossman
Jerusalem
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 06/21/2018 05:50PM by mlb.
