The Oral Torah is the Only Way to Properly Understand the Hebrew Bible (Judaism, the Sages)

Translations of the Hebrew Bible are found in religions around the world. Its verses are liberally quoted and used as "evidence" in religious teachings and debates in many of the world's major religions.

There is one (major) issue. One cannot understand the Hebrew Bible and especially the Torah (the Law of Moses) by its text alone. The laws presented in the Torah often lack context and often don't describe the details of how the Law is carried out practically. It's written in a language of generalities and particulars that often leave one unable to understand the applicability of a judgment without being aware of the system by which the Law is deduced. The secret to "crack the code" of the Torah and Hebrew Bible is found in the Oral Torah, the traditional application of the Torah.

After the Torah was recieved on Mt. Sinai, Moses passed the Torah to Joshua, and Joshua passed it to the Elders of Israel, the Elders passed it to the Prophets, the Prophets (of the Hebrew Bible) passed it to the Men of the Great Assembly (Second Temple era). The Torah they recieved was not only the text of the Hebrew Bible but also the Oral Torah, the oral tradition that explains the true intention of the verses and the exact procedure of fulfilling many of the Commandments written in the Torah.

This oral tradition was eventually written down at the end of the era known as the Tannaim (the generations that followed the Great Assembly), in a body of texts called the Mishna. The records of the Mishna were further explained and clarified by the sages in the following generations. Many of their discussions and teachings were written down and are known as the Gemara or Talmud.

The Talmud is the record of the Oral Torah that has been preserved until today. Found within it are detailed instructions about how to follow the Torah's commandments authentically and traditionally, countless explanations of verses of the Hebrew Bible, and much more.

Without the Oral Torah, the Hebrew Bible is virtually impossible to understand. After the Talmud, Sages of Israel who were well learned in the entire Torah cannon commented and explained the Hebrew Bible further. There were also translations into the vernacular of Aramaic. This continuation of the tradition provided additional insight to the generations that followed.

Through the tradition we inherited from our forefathers, we understand the Torah and how to practically follow it. This is the blessing of the Nation of Israel, the nation chosen by the Creator to receive His Law. Without the passed-down tradition of the Oral Torah, it is impossible to truly understand the Hebrew Bible as it was originally given.