Most of us have heard the question, "Who actually wrote the Torah?"  Today, let's look a bit into this "million dollar question".

So - is the Torah a direct transcript of the words of G-d to Moses at Mt. Sinai?  Is it literally the word of G-d?  Or is it a human-written book?

Certainly, each of these theories has its own dilemmas.  For example, if we say that the Torah is the literal word of G-d, then everything must be obeyed as it was in the past without any changes.

And if we say that the Torah is the creation of other human beings similar to us, then the Torah is subject to human judgment such that if any Jew wants to make a change, this can be done.

Interestingly, traditional Judaism refutes both of the above extreme points of view about the "million dollar question".

Although I don't know your personal beliefs, dear readers, mine is that the Torah is a "Holy text" that invites us to believe in a G-d who loves us in harmony with our deeds!

And here's one additional "dilemma" item.  We learn in Parashah Ki Tisa this week that Moses received two tablets (The Ten Commandments) - which, according to the Bible, were "inscribed with the finger of G-d".

Regarding this, we can ask, "Is it really possible that the tablets were inscribed by G-d's finger?" or, "Does the Torah really want to teach us about God's parts?" 

Personally, I don't think so.  I tend to agree with Rambam (Maimonides; 1137-1204) who said that the purpose of these words is to tell us that the tablets were "real" and not "artificial".

So, maybe when all is said and done, we have to understand that the giving of the Torah was an active action of G-d, but there was (and still is) a continuing "receiving of our Holy text" that is also active and that involves our ancestors, us, and our children!

In other words, we might agree on the idea that "The Torah is at the same time, fully human and fully divine!"