In Israel, it was found that a great deal of emphasis was placed upon that which one generation passed on to the other; that is, what father passed on to son. It was found in Israel, at the time of Christ, that layer-upon-layer of tradition had been superimposed over the Word of God. These traditions were the opinions, the doctrines, the practices, the rites, and the customs that were handed down from one generation, in Israel, to the next. As a matter of fact, the word, tradition, means the handing-down, or transmitting of any opinions, or practices from forefathers to descendants without written memorials.