That is the question. But what is the answer?
Yes, that was a riff on Shakespeare's famous "to be or not to be... " line from Hamlet. Let me be fair and clarify the question:
The question I am trying to answer is whether or not the Talmud should serve as a guide regarding Torah observance. One group in my congregation says "yes!"... another group in my congregation says "no!". I wanted to jot down my thoughts about both sides of the issue. I don't know if I will come to an answer any time soon (likely not!) but it's cathartic nonetheless.
Here are some passages from Scripture to consider in regards to Torah. I will update this blog entry from time to time with other passages as I find them:
"I will multiply your descendants as the stars of heaven, and will give your descendants all these lands; and by your descendants all the nations of the earth shall be blessed; because Abraham obeyed Me and kept My charge, My commandments, My statutes and My Torot [plural of Torah]." - Genesis 26:4-5
Bind up the testimony, seal the Torah among my disciples. - Isaiah 8:16
"The same Torah shall apply to the native as to the stranger who sojourns among you." - Exodus 12:49