IndigoChild5559
Loving God and my neighbor as myself.
Erubin 21b
My son be careful to fulfill the words of the Sages even more than the words of the Torah. For the words of the Torah include positive and negative commandments, and even with regard to the negative commandments, the violation of many of them is only by lashes, Whereas with respect to the words of the Sages, anyone who violates the words of the sages is liable to receive the death penalty.
I realize this addresses a very practical matter -- hey, when the rubber meets the road, it's better to avoid capital punishment than corporal punishment. Ideally, though, you avoid both.
However, it seems to imply that the words of the Sages are more important than the words of the Torah, and I am troubled by this. Tell me I'm wrong.
My son be careful to fulfill the words of the Sages even more than the words of the Torah. For the words of the Torah include positive and negative commandments, and even with regard to the negative commandments, the violation of many of them is only by lashes, Whereas with respect to the words of the Sages, anyone who violates the words of the sages is liable to receive the death penalty.
I realize this addresses a very practical matter -- hey, when the rubber meets the road, it's better to avoid capital punishment than corporal punishment. Ideally, though, you avoid both.
However, it seems to imply that the words of the Sages are more important than the words of the Torah, and I am troubled by this. Tell me I'm wrong.