Expert: Rabbi Barry Dov Lerner - 8/16/2007

Question
QUESTION: hello!

Today I was approached by a muslim missionary (yup.. they exist now.) And they were trying to show me fallacies in Judaism. So they gave me this long article about the "documentary hypothesis." I read it, and did a lot of research on it. It seems to be a popular belief about our Torah. Do you know if there is any truth what so ever to this belief?

I have noticed that Deuteronomy is different from the other 4 Books of the Torah. Why is that??

My last question is about Abraham and Ur. I was also given an article about how "Ur of Chaldees" did not exist until the 700 BC. :( Now the word used for Chaldees is "kasdim". Does that change anything? I am not sure what kasdim means, and it could have a different meaning!

G-d Bless.

ANSWER: Dear Kyle,

Thanks for writing. I took some additional time to check out some resources for you.

Documentary Hypothesis is a term used for various interpretations of how the Five Books of Moses evolved or were "revealed."

As a Conservative Rabbi - with a background in the sciences - I believe that there is a moment when the Torah was "revealed" or "inspired" after which there is clear manuscript proof that it was transmitted by human beings in various locations.

I urge you to check www.jewishencyclopedia.com for detailed information on the theory, including those who support and oppose it - from Orthodoxy and traditional interpretation to the most liberal and modern movements. In addition, there is  the newer Encyclopedia Judaica which is in most libraries.

The bottom line is that ultimately each Jew has to meet with their Rabbi and weigh the evidence and come to their own conclusion regarding the the Documentary Hypothesis.

One theory is that Deuteronomy is different because it is composed of traditional "strands" and literature composed at a much later time than the earlier books.

Ur of the Chaldees did exist, long before 700 BCE. We have names from that period, and you can check it yourself in the same encyclopedias.

Best wishes

Rabbi Dov


---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Shalom!

So do you believe in the DH, or do you think that the Torah today is the same exact Torah as the Torah revealed to Moshe?

Answer
Dear Kyle,

I don't wish to be rude or evasive, for I appreciate your interest in the topic. However what I believe is my own conclusion based on years of my Biblical studies, Rabbinics and modern scholarship. And, it ought to remain my own personal belief.

You will study the relevant materials, work and study with your Rabbi and come to your own personal belief, for there is no absolute truth in the matter.

Best wishes and good luck

Rabbi Dov