DEUT873 If the tradition had not clarified for us the way [Scripture] should be read, the meaning of its language, an explication of its themes and their implications, we could not have grasped this from Scripture alone. As our Masters, of blessed memory, said: “The Torah is interpreted by means of thirteen principles” (Baraysa D’Rabbi Yishmael); “The Mesorah (oral tradition) is a fence for the Torah” (Avos 3:13). Moreover, the Torah itself refers us to the oral tradition, for [and understanding of] the details [in the application] of its laws, as it is written: “If a case should prove too difficult for you in judgment...matters of dispute in your courts, [then you should arise and go up .... And you should come to the Levitical Kohanim and to the judge that will be in those days] and submit an inquiry; and they will tell you the legal decision.... The man who acts brazenly and does not listen to the Kohen... that man shall die” (Devarim 17:8-12).