Here is a second statement about the problem at hand – Y‘shua is not telling them the kosher laws (given by
YHWH) are suspended (in violation of His own words in Matt 5:17-18), but clearly says they are breaking
YHWH's Torah by this particular man-made (not God-given) tradition.
It should be noted that Y‘shua is not against tradition – including many of the traditions of the Pharisaic
Judaism (which He himself followed; i.e., celebration of Chanukkah, called the "Festival of Dedication" in the
Gospel of John). Such tradition is the way in which we "walk out" our faith (called halakha). As we will see in
the next chapter, Y‘shua even gave the power to set aside such "tradition" to His disciples.
Y‘shua admits that the disciples had transgressed the rabbinical traditions. Y‘shua treats it as a matter of no
great importance in itself, save as they had put the tradition of the elders instead of the commandments of
YHWH. What Y‘shua is opposed to is any tradition not founded in the Torah that places itself above the
Torah.
When the two clashed (as was often the case), the legalistic rabbis transgressed the Torah of YHWH
―because by your tradition". The word ―by‖ is dia in Greek. The accusative with dia means that, not "by
means of." Tradition is not good or bad in itself. It is merely what is handed on from one to another. Custom
tended to make these traditions binding like law. There could be no compromise on this subject and Y‘shua
accepts the issue. He stands for real righteousness and spiritual freedom, not for bondage to mere
ceremonialism and tradition. These rabbis placed tradition (the oral law) above the Torah of YHWH.
From Mark 7:1- 5It is important to understand that because Y‘shua was teaching His disciples the correct manner in which to
apply the instructions of the Torah, it sometimes caused His Torah teachings to conflict with those of the
other rabbis:
(1) ―And the Pharisees were assembled to Him, also some of the scribes, coming from Jerusalem.
(2) And seeing some of His disciples eating bread with unclean, that is unwashed hands, they
found fault.
(3) For the Pharisees and all the Jews do not eat unless they wash the hands with the fist, holding the
tradition of the elders.
(4) And coming from the market, if they do not immerse themselves (wash their hands), they do not
eat. And there are many other things which they received to hold: dippings of cups, and of utensils, and
of copper vessels, and couches.
(5) Then the Pharisees and scribes questioned Him, Why do your disciples not walk according to the
tradition of the elders, but eat bread with unwashed hands?‖ (Mark 7:1-5)
―(3) But answering He said to them, Why do you also transgress the command of God on account of your
tradition? (4) For God commanded, saying, ―Honor your father and mother," and, ―The one speaking evil
of father or mother, by death let him die." (Mat 15:3-4 LITV)
Y‘shua was referring to ―Positive Law 210: Exod 20:12 - On honouring parents‖, ―Negative Law 318:
Exod 21:17 - Not cursing parents‖ and ―Deut 5:16.‖
However, as said earlier, the Torah command about washing hands pertains only to the Priesthood and not
to the common people:
(18) ―Thou shalt also make a laver of brass, and his foot also of brass, to wash withal: and thou shalt put
it between the tabernacle of the congregation and the altar, and thou shalt put water therein.
(19) For Aaron and his sons shall wash their hands and their feet thereat:
(20) When they go into the tabernacle of the congregation, they shall wash with water, that they die not;
or when they come near to the altar to minister, to burn offering made by fire unto the LORD:
(21) So they shall wash their hands and their feet, that they die not: and it shall be a statute for ever to
them, even to him and to his seed throughout their generations.‖ (Exod 30:18-21)
This command was given to Aharon (Aaron) the High Priest and his descendants, and was to be done as a
ritual before they began to do service in the Tabernacle. The ritual washing of hands and feet was never a
Torah requirement for the common person. (It must be pointed out that it is perfectly fine for a person to
wash their hands before eating. Certainly, it shows a respect for the food and for YHWH who has given it to
us for consumption; however, it is not a requirement.)