Shemot (Exodus) 12:49
"One Torah shall be to him that is home-born, and unto the stranger that sojourns among you."
There is one Torah. However, within that one Torah is many aspects. Certain parts of the Torah apply to particular individuals, while other portions apply to other various groups or individuals. Some commandments are to be obeyed by some people, and other commandments of that same Torah are to be obeyed by other people. Furthermore, not everyone is held to the same standard of measure. As we examine this from the Torah, hopefully, it will become clear there is a parallel between Israel and the human body, just as Shaul suggests in 1st Corinthians. In part, this entails understanding that each part of the body functions in a different manner in order for the body to be in harmony with itself and to function properly. The ear hears; the eye sees; the mouth speaks; and so forth. Likewise, in order for Israel to function properly, each one of its respective parts must do its own task, rather than attempting to do the task of a part of the body which it is not. Hence, upon close examination of the Torah Moshe, one finds various standards within Torah for different parts of Israel. Perhaps this is why the Torah itself refers to "Torahs" in the plural at least five times in the Torah Moshe.
Shemot (Exodus) 18:20
"And you shall teach them the statutes and the Torahs, and shall show them the way wherein they must walk, and the work that they must do."
We shall examine seven sub-groups within Israel who each have a different standard to live by as commanded by YHWH. There could be more, but these seven will suffice to illustrate this important truth concerning Torah society. The sub-groups and the order in which we shall examine them are as follows: 1) men and women, 2) those over 20 years of age, 3) gerim, 4) goyim, 5) Nazirites, 6) Levites, and 7) priests.
As we study and dissect the following passages of Scripture, one must always remember to put it all back together in the end. This is true of any study of this nature. It is only a part of the whole. As the opening passage points out, there is one Torah. All who would be a part of Israel must submit to the Voice of YHWH as recorded in Scripture. It is His Voice we are to obey.
Vayyiqra (Leviticus) 12:2
"Speak unto the children of Israel, saying, 'If a woman conceives seed, and bears a male child, then she shall be unclean seven days; as in the days of the impurity of her sickness shall she be unclean."
Not surprisingly, men do not give birth to children. Vayyiqra chapter 12 consists of commandments for a woman who gives birth and what she is to do after giving birth. Whether a woman gives birth to a boy or a girl dictates her actions according to these commandments. These commandments do not directly apply to a man. These commandments are for the woman. However, it should be pointed out, that in giving birth, both a female and a male are involved. It is a given that these two people are married to each other. Therefore, since they have become "one flesh," it can easily be argued that, through the man's wife, a man keeps these commandments as well, even though the commandments are directed towards the woman. There is one Torah.
