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Contrary to popular yet misinformed belief, particularly in religious circles, traditions are not only absolutely permissible, but encouraged in Scripture. Customs that first appear in the writings of the prophets such as facing toward Jerusalem in prayer (Daniel 6:11), the ordinance to avoid idle chatter on Shabbat (Isaiah 58:13) and citing righteous ancestors in prayer (Psalms 116:16) highlight traditions as being an acceptable part of correct halakha (Torah observant conduct) throughout the Biblical period.

Perhaps no other tradition is so authoritatively presented in Scripture than the festival of Purim, in which Mordechai charges his fellow Jews to annually observe a time of “feasting and gladness” in Esther 9:20-23. The observance of Purim has been accepted by Jews as an official Biblical holiday since its institution.

Any type of ordinance or regular custom that is captured in Scripture that does not originally appear in the Torah shows a deeper aspect of spiritual service deciphered through intense study of the Torah itself. King David frequently refers to maintaining physically clean hands in relation to possessing a pure heart (Psalms 18;21,25, 24:4, 26:6), alluding to the value of the ritual washing of hands that according to a surface reading of Torah is only incumbent on the priesthood.

This chapter will delve into the concept of man-made tradition and highlight the differences between a good and bad tradition. Along the way it will show how some Judaic customs, assumed by many as poisonous hindrances to Torah, actually have strong Scriptural foundations.

Many people who have come out of false religious systems and had unbiblical practices thrust upon them, develop an “in-built” prejudice or suspicion toward man-made traditions in general. As a result the concept of traditions as a part of one’s obligation in fulfilling YHWH’s will can be hard to accept. For those who feel they fall into this category, this chapter will likely be a most valuable read.

The Hebrew word for “tradition” is m'soret, which literally means “to hand on” or “pass on” something. This word is only found once in the TaNaK (Old Testament) in Ezekiel 20:37; “And I will cause you to pass under the rod, and I will bring you into the bond of the brit (covenant).” The word “bond,” sometimes translated as “obligations” is better translated as “tradition,” therefore more accurately reading “…I will bring you into the tradition of the covenant.”