Positive Mitzvah 174
and Negative Mitzvot 312, 313, 314

We all want to be healthy.

We try to eat properly and take care of ourselves.

We seek medical advice that will help prevent us from getting sick.

We know we can count on a doctor's suggestions, because the doctor has spent time researching, studying, experimenting and learning how the human body works. We accept his advice, thankful that the doctor dedicates himself to improving our health.

Every Jew wants to fulfill the Torah and Mitzvot.

We are grateful to the Rabbis and judges who dedicate their lives to learning the Torah and explaining it to us.

Their professional knowledge in Torah helps clarify many laws and obligations.

This Positive Mitzvah commands us to heed their instructions and follow their guidelines in keeping Torah and Mitzvot.

When Moshe received the Torah from HaShem, he wrote down the written law. These are the five "Chumashim," also called the Five Books of Moses.

HaShem taught him many explanations, definitions and detailed laws which help us understand the Torah.

For a long time, most of the detailed laws were studied orally and passed down from generation to generation, teacher to student. Even small children were so well learned and versed in Torah law that they knew these explanations by heart!

However, when the Jewish nation went into exile, we suffered many hardships that made it very difficult for people to devote most of their day to Torah study. Often, ruling nations forbade the study of Torah altogether!

It was then that the great Rabbis and Sages decided to write down the oral law so that it would not be forgotten.

The Rabbis were given authority by the written Torah to write and explain these detailed laws.

They based everything on what they learned from their teachers and their teacher's teachers - all the way back to Moshe who learned it from HaShem!

The Sages proved that every question that arises in any situation can be answered according to Torah law.

Because of this devotion to Torah, today, thousands of years later in a modern world with advanced technology, Torah law still applies to the very last detail!

The Torah gave Halachically trained Rabbis the authority to guide us in understanding and practicing Torah law.

We are commanded to listen to them and follow their instructions.

This Negative Mitzvah cautions us not to disobey their teachings.

Would you think of adding anything to the "Declaration of Independence?"

Of course not! This important document, written many years ago, served as the basis for the Constitution of the United States.

Even today, we use its messages and ideals to formulate laws.

No one would try to change its wording or content.

How much so, would no one dare to add to the Torah, which was not written by man, but rather contains the words of HaShem!

We are forbidden to add anything to the Torah.

For example, we may not wear five Tzitzit instead of four, nor may we make up new Mitzvot on our own.

Just as we are forbidden to add to the Torah (see above) we are not allowed to subtract anything from it.