New Testament Insights

Abolishing the Torah

Often used as a proof-text for the abrogation of the Torah [commandments], in Matthew 5 we see Jesus citing a well-known Midrash to prove quite the opposite. Despite many modern (popular) interpretations, he forbids his audience from ever thinking of such an idea!

The Hidden Orchard

31 Jan 2024 — 6 min read

When trying to describe the literary genre of Midrash¹, I often compare it to pop-culture stories. Quoting a few words from a well-known movie and a speaker instantly amplifies their message, importing a world of themes and context within seconds. If the audience is familiar with the movie, they will make the connection and understand the speaker's meaning on a deeper level.

If the audience is unfamiliar with the reference, the quote may detract from the message, causing more confusion and one more thing to explain. As they say, if you have to explain a joke or a reference, it loses something.

Midrash, or Aggada, as it is known when found in the Talmud, is a unique form of Jewish homiletics². These can be seen in parables and stories found throughout Jewish literature, including the New Testament.

In ancient times, and still today, the Midrashic tradition is the core content of sermons and weekly teachings in the synagogue. After many years of study, a learned Rabbi can acquire a myriad of authoritative and well-known midrashim (plural) to provide new insights and perspectives to their audience.

Midrash Gone Wrong

As stated, if the audience is aware of the framework of Midrash and how it fits into the tapestry of Biblical literature, it is a powerful teaching tool. If the audience is unaware, the results can be devastating. One of many examples of this can be seen in the Gospel of Matthew.

Ironically, this passage has become the go-to proof text to illustrate how Jesus 'fulfilled' the Torah's commandments, essentially nullifying them. In other words, Jesus kept them perfectly so that no one else had to any longer.

The result has been an antinomian view that misunderstands the place of the mitzvot (commandments) in the covenantal relationship with the Creator. This in itself would not have been so devastating if this position was not forced upon Jews over the centuries in various ways.

Tragically, Jesus himself warned against such a practice:

Therefore whoever relaxes one of the least of these commandments and teaches others to do the same will be called least in the kingdom of heaven, but whoever does them and teaches them will be called great in the kingdom of heaven. - Matthew 5:19

This misunderstanding has developed skewed views regarding the Torah, the Hebrew Bible, the Jewish people, and even Jesus himself.

Understanding the Midrashic background, we will actually see something profound that changes our view of this passage. We will understand how Jesus leveraged a well-known Midrash to his Jewish audience, teaching quite the opposite conclusion.

The Midrash of Solomon

According to tradition, when faced with the prohibition against multiplying wives³, King Solomon felt his faith could withstand violating this injunction. Incidentally, he removed the smallest letter from this passage, the Yod. What was the harm? After all, it was the smallest letter.

In Hebrew, the Yod (י) is an apostrophe-like letter that is actually quite deep in it's meaning. A part of the Divine Name, and also an important letter in many other key words, the Yod is anything but insignificant.

In this particular passage, the removal of the Yod reverses the injunction and the meaning of the command entirely. Essentially, King Solomon turned the sentence from one of prohibition to encouragement, enabling him to multiply wives at will.

Here is the Midrash:

“Solomon arose and studied the reason of G_D’s decree, saying: “Why did G_D command, “He shall not multiply wives to himself”? Is it not “that his heart turn away.” Well I will multiply and still my heart will not turn away.” Our sages said: At that time, the Yod of the word yarbeh went up on high and prostrated itself before G_D and said: “Master of the Universe! Hast thou not said that no letter shall ever be abolished from the Torah? Behold, Solomon has now arisen and abolished one. Who knows? Today he has abolished one letter, tomorrow he will abolish another until the whole Torah will be nullified? G_D replied: “Solomon and a thousand like him will pass away, but the smallest tittle will not be erased from thee.” - Exodus Rabbah 6:1

With this, we can now understand Jesus' meaning:

“For truly, I say to you, until heaven and earth pass away, not an iota, not a dot, will pass from the Law until all is accomplished.” - Matthew 5:18

I Will Fulfill It

For some, the operative phrase in Jesus's teaching is when he says, "I have come to fulfill it." They read this to say he nullified the need for the commandments by his observance of them. This too is a phrase based upon a Midrashic tradition. We read;

“Moses said to the Holy One, why are you angry? Is it because your Torah which they have violated?
If so, it is my responsibility to ensure that I and my colleagues will fulfill it, even if the rest of the people have failed their obligation to fulfill it; Aaron and his sons will fulfill it, Joshua and Caleb will fulfill it, Yair and Machir will fulfill it, all the other righteous people will fulfill it, and I myself will fulfill it.
- Exodus Rabbah 43:6

Jesus's message is clear; he has come to set a higher standard of Torah observance for his students to follow. He warns them not even to think of removing a single command from the Torah, for doing so makes one the least in the Kingdom.

With this, we realize Jesus's teaching all along was nearly the opposite of some popular interpretations, thus illustrating the importance of understanding the Jewishness of the New Testament.