Recently, I posed the question "To codify or not to codify" and Gene suggested creating a "Statement of Principles for Messianic Halacha" (I'm paraphrasing quite a lot).
I think this is a good idea for several reasons. As I explained earlier, halacha should be straightforward and understandable. Rabbinic Judaism created an oxymoronic written, oral-Torah that has many weaknesses (e.g. it's impractical, confusing, inefficient, un-democratic, convoluted, esoteric, etc). The original Oral Tradition was flexible, democratic, approachable, straightforward, and understandable even to the layperson. So we need to restore the oral tradition--no big deal.
How do we do that? Scientific method:
(1) observe all possible sources for halacha (e.g. Written Torah, New Testament, secondary sources such as Talmud, Codes, Commentaries, etc, etc);
(2) hypothesize as to general principles (which in my opinion should be topically categorized according to the Mishna's system of classification but more on that later);
(3) verify the principles (this is where the Kol Echad Initiative might be handy);
(4) systematize an integrated body of halachic principles---no biggie
In short, our goal with regard to halacha should be to devise a straightforward, understandable, yet comprehensive guide to Messianic halacha in order to bring stability, autonomy, and cohesiveness to the One-Law Messianic movement.
Our next step then will be to discuss how to categorize halacha so that people can start providing input as to the New Covenant Principles for Messianic Halacha. I'll post something soon about this so that we can all get to work. This will have to be a communal effort because the scope of it exceeds the intellectual reach of any single man (unless one of you out there is the next Maimonides). : )
Shalom
"systematize an integrated body of halachic principles.... In short, our goal with regard to halacha should be to devise a straightforward, understandable, yet comprehensive guide to Messianic halacha in order to bring stability, autonomy, and cohesiveness to the One-Law Messianic movement."
ReplyDeleteIn other words, Peter, you want to do precisely what you hate the Talmud for - you want to devise a "guide to halacha". However, in order to tone down the obvious hypocrisy here, you may want to just get together with some of your Two House buddies(i.e. the other "lost Israelites") and discuss this orally, committing nothing to "paper".
Gene,
Delete(1) There's a big differences between flexible principles and rigid rules;
(2) If wanting to streamline the Talmud equates with being anti-Oral Tradition then Maimonides hated the Oral Tradition more than anyone else in history.