One of the main foundational scriptural passages that Torah followers often site as a defense to Torah/Hebrew Roots observance is Matthew 5:17-20.  It is also used by opponents of Torah observance to attempt to prove that Yeshua did away with the Torah. Opponents often site the word "fulfill" to mean that Yeshua put an "end" or that he "did away with" the Torah.  The root word of "fulfill" in the Greek language is the word "pleroo" and it means to "make full" or to "fully realize" NOT to end - as in cease completely.  

In this article I will demonstrate by using the plain text of the scripture in the English language that Yeshua is NOT declaring an "end" to the law. He in fact declares in the same sentence that He is not doing away (destroying) the Torah but actually showing us how to walk it out (making it full, bringing it to it's full realization). Let's take a look at the passage in Matthew 5:17-20 KJV: 

17 Think not that I am come to destroy the law(Torah), or the prophets: I am not come to destroy, but to fulfill. 18 For verily I say unto you, Till heaven and earth pass, one jot or one tittle shall in no wise pass from the law(Torah), till all be fulfilled. 19 Whosoever therefore shall break one of these least commandments, and shall teach men so, he shall be called the least in the kingdom of heaven: but whosoever shall do and teach them, the same shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven. 20 For I say unto you, That except your righteousness shall exceed the righteousness of the scribes and Pharisees, ye shall in no case enter into the kingdom of heaven.

First, let's make note of the obvious in verse 17 - Yeshua mentions the word destroy twice in the same verse. This is the first obvious indicator that he is NOT declaring that he is doing away with the Torah or the Prophets. It's as if Yeshua is making a double emphasis on the word destroy to make certain that his audience doesn't think he came to do away with the Torah or the Prophets. Forgive me if this next point seems a bit on the technical side grammatically. Second, let's examine verse 17 a bit more closely.   If we follow the basic rules of sentence structure, every sentence should at least have one subject, one verb and usually an object followed by the verb to make a complete sentence.  In verse 17, Yeshua is the subject. Destroy and fulfill are the verbs.  The Torah and the Prophets are the objects followed by the verbs.

The verb destroy must be applied to both objects - The Torah and the Prophets.  According to Oxford Languages dictionary - destroy is defined as - to put an end to the existence of (something) by damaging or attacking it.  Now let's add emphasis with this definition in verse 17: Do not think Yeshua came (to (destroy): put an end to the existence of the Torah or the Prophets by damaging or attacking them). He did not come (to (destroy): put an end to the existence of the Torah or the Prophets by damaging or attacking them).

The verb fulfill must be applied to both objects - The Torah and the Prophets.  According to Oxford Languages dictionary - fulfill is defined as - to bring to completion or reality; achieve or realize; carry out a task, duty or role as required or expected. Now let's add emphasis with this definition in verse 17: Yeshua came (to (fulfill): bring to completion or reality the Torah; achieve or realize the Torah; carry out a task, duty or role as required or expected of the Torah).  When we apply this definition of "fulfill" to The Prophets, we must consider the fact that the Prophets in the Tanakh (Old Testament) prophesied about the coming Mashiach (Messiah). Therefore, Yeshua came (to (fulfill): bring to completion or reality the Prophesies; achieve or realize the Prophesies; carry out a task, duty or role as required or expected of the Prophesies) concerning himself. For example - He fulfilled the prophesies spoken of him by Isaiah in chapters 53 and 61.

Furthermore, verse 18 states directly that until heaven and earth pass "one jot or one tittle shall in no wise pass from the law(Torah), till all be fulfilled (brought to completion or reality; achieved or realized;  a task carried out, duty or role as required or expected).  It should be obvious by now that the idea that Yeshua did away with the Torah and the Prophets is NOT a viable conclusion.   Heaven and earth have not passed away yet.  There is still more yet to be fulfilled.