An Honest, Reasonable and Rational Examination of the Veracity of the Torah

The debate over the authorship of the Torah is a very important one; and not only for us Jews but the majority of humanity accepts this document as the dictation of God to Moses. In this class we continue our quest to logically assess both sides of the arguments as to the authenticity of the Torah by logically examining some of the evidence and attempt to formulate a perspective and perhaps a conclusion to this important question.

Sources in the order that they were presented:

http://www.nytimes.com/2014/02/11/science/camels-had-no-business-in-genesis.html?_r=0

Exodus 19, 9: “Behold I am coming to you in a cloud of smoke so that the nation shall hear when I speak to you, and also in you they will believe forever”

Deuteronomy 4, 32: “You might inquire about times long past, from the day that G-d created man on earth, from one end of heaven to the other. Has there ever been anything like this great thing or has anything like it been heard? Has a people ever heard the voice of G-d speaking from the midst of the fires as you have heard, and survived?” 

 Leviticus, 25, 1-4: “Six years you shall sow your field, and six years you shall prune your vineyard, and gather in its produce. But in the seventh year a Sabbath of solemn rest it shall be for the land … your field you shall not sow, and your vineyard you shall not prune. That which grows by itself you shall not reap, and the grapes of your vine you shall not gather.”

Leviticus 25, 20-22: “And if you will say: ‘What shall we eat in the seventh year? Behold, we may not plant nor gather in our produce!’ I will command My blessing upon you in the sixth year, and it will bring forth produce for the three years. And you will plant in the eighth year and eat of the old produce until the ninth year, until her produce comes in, you will eat the old produce.”

Exodus 34, 23-24: “Three times in the year all your men shall appear before the Lord your God, the God of Israel. I will throw out the nations before you and enlarge your borders: neither shall any man desire your land, when you go up to appear before the Lord your God three times during the year.”