re: #100 Sergey Romanov

But rabbinic Judaism also came long after the Torah was written.

But still centuries before Christ none the less. Rabbinic Judaism starts with the return to the land and the rebuilding of the Temple.

If the direct link between the “authors” of the Oral Law and the intent of the Torah’s author(s) can be shown, then from a non-observant point of view it’s just one of many later interpretations, even if the earliest known one.

Well it is funny you mention that. Look at the entire first chapter of Pirkei Avot. Seriously go look it up!

It gives the chain of transmission - of the oral law itself(!) - through the generations.

Now you might not believe that Moses taught the elders and that the elders taught the judges and the prophets. OK fine…

However, once it starts naming master to student, you really have no reason to doubt it at all. Because all of those masters and students show up in the Mishna and the Talmud.

Also remember that Mishna is a long time before Talmud.