I have a friend who has a Jewish studies degree from a British University and in a faith and science forum talks he said there are 613 commands in the Torah though many are now impossible or unnecessary to keep. For example, the temple in Jerusalem no longer exits so any law about it cannot be kept, another example he gave was that you were supposed to show yourself to the priest if you had a skin disease, again no one would think that necessary to keep now. Surely, there must be things in Islam, laws that are now obsolete?
I am rather surprised at Pygoscelis' remarks as I think in the Sermon on the Mount have entered the English language and are typically use all the time in everyday speech. However, one could and perhaps should is go beyond the commands and that is the essence I am told of the teachings of Jesus (same forum as above). So we have a saying such as if someone asks for your shirt give him your coat also. in other words this seems to mean (to me) the law is a starting point not an end point.
