How did Martin Buber interpret the Bible's origin?

Martin Buber interpreted the Bible as originating from an ever-renewed, authentic encounter between God and the people of Israel.1

He believed that this foundational experience was subsequently preserved through two distinct traditions:
* An authentic tradition: This reflected the original, living encounter between God and humanity.1
* A distorted tradition: This was shaped by later ideological aims, which Buber argued often led to the creation of legalistic prescriptions, such as those found in the Talmud.1

Because of his commitment to a dialogical relationship with God—which he viewed as inherently open and free from fixed rules—Buber rejected the obligatory nature of traditional religious law. He maintained that any attempt to turn God into a legislator of fixed rules or dogmas reduced the divine to an "It" (an object) rather than a "Thou" (a living presence). Consequently, his approach to biblical interpretation was often criticized as subjective, though it remained central to his broader philosophy of dialogue.1