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The Sharia of Moses in the TORA
Part 2 - The 365 Prohibitions of the Tora

312 - DIFFERING FROM TRADITIONAL AUTHORITIES

One who infringes this negative commandment is called “a rebellious elder” and is liable to death by strangling under the conditions prescribed by Tradition, which are set out at the end of Sanhedrin, where the provisions of this commandment are explained.

While this commandment is of general application, and forbids every Israelite to depart from any of the teachings, decrees, and customs of the authorized repositories of the Tradition, it applies especially to a scholar who teaches any Jew to pursue a line of conduct other than that inculcated by the authorities on the Traditional Law. Only in his case does the punishment of death by strangling apply.*

Maimonides also says: “If every scholar had the power to make modifications of the Law, the multitude of disputes and differences of opinion would have produced an injurious effect. Therefore, it was commanded that of the Sages only the great Sanhedrin, and none less, should have this power; and whoever opposed their decision should be put to death. For if any critic were allowed to dispute the decision of the Sanhedrin, the object of this law would not be attained.”*

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