The old paths, or the Talmud tested by Scripture: Being a comparison of the principles and doctrines of modern Judaism with the religion of Moses and the prophetsMcCaul, Alexander
Religion
The old paths, or the Talmud tested by Scripture: Being a comparison of the principles and doctrines of modern Judaism with the religion of Moses and the prophets
McCaul, Alexander
Judaism -- Works to 1900
“He created the man by means of the book of Jetzirah, for it taught him
the combination of the letters of the name of God.” According to this
account, these rabbies were much greater men than Moses or any of the
prophets, for in the whole Old Testament there is not one such miracle
recorded. Moses never created any thing, neither did he perform any of
his miracles without the help of God. Either the Lord immediately
commanded him, or he sought the Lord’s help. But these rabbies acquired
the power of omnipotence by studying a particular book, and exercised it
either for their amusement or their profit. Rabba created a man, and
sent him to Rabbi Zira, not as it appears to do any good, or to glorify
God, but simply to show his power, or to act a little bit of waggery;
and the other two created a fat calf for themselves every Sabbath eve,
that they might have a good dinner. The difference between these
miracles and those recorded in Scripture is obvious. The Scripture
miracles are either for the glory of God, or the good of man. The
rabbinical miracles are altogether for the glory of man, and the
gratification of self. Moses smote the rock, and supplied all Israel
with water. The rabbies create a calf, and eat it themselves. No doubt
there were many poor people in Israel at the time of Rabbies Oshaia and
Chanina, who would have been very glad of a calf for their Sabbath
dinner, why did they not create a calf or two for them? This selfish
falsehood betrays itself, and bears on its front its own condemnation.
The whole doctrine of the combination of the letters in the name of God
is a pure invention of men, whose minds have been debased by
superstition. There is not a word about it in the whole Bible, and it is
derogatory to the honour of God, who is the only Creator.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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