The rules in regard to purification were numberless. The period of a lifetime was scarcely sufficient for one to learn them all. The life of those who tried to observe the rabbinical requirements was one long struggle against ceremonial defilement, an endless round of washings and purifications. While the people were occupied with trifling distinctions, and observances which God had not required, their attention was turned away from the great principles of His law.

Der fandtes utallige regler med hensyn til renselse. Ens levetid var knap lang nok til at lære dem alle. For dem, der forsøgte at overholde de skriftkloges krav, var tilværelsen en lang kamp mod formel besmittelse og en endeløs række af tvætninger og renselser. Medens folket var beskæftiget med ubetydelige forskelle og overholdelse af regler, som Gud ikke havde forlangt, blev deres opmærksomhed bortledt fra de store grundtanker i Guds lov.