Messiah Matters Show #533 – Yeshua & Oral Law
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Nov 5, 2025 
Rob Vanhoff, an expert in rabbinic texts, sheds light on Yeshua's relationship with oral law and its implications for modern believers. He discusses a recent split among Messianic groups regarding dual affiliations and the impact of one-law theology. The conversation delves into whether Yeshua condemned or cited oral law, and how he engaged with rabbinic traditions. Additionally, they explore how the Mishnah was formed and the changing perspectives on Jewish identity within these communities.
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Talmud Often Responds To Christianity
- The Babylonian Talmud and Mishnah largely postdate Yeshua and often respond to Christianity rather than prefigure Jesus' teaching.
- Similarities between rabbinic texts and Jesus often reflect later rabbinic counters, not original rabbinic sources cited by Jesus.
Oral Torah As Later Rabbinic Construction
- Rabbinic claims of an unbroken oral Torah from Sinai are later doctrinal constructions, not first-century realities.
- The rabbinic worldview elevated later rabbinic rulings to the authority of Moses, expanding canon and liturgy over centuries.
Baba Metzia Story Reads As Counter To Jesus
- Caleb reads Baba Metzia 59b as a rabbinic caricature countering Jesus’ miracles and claims.
- He argues those Talmudic episodes rebut Christian messianic claims rather than record Jesus quoting Pharisaic law.
