Q&A: The Meiri and the Attitude Toward Gentiles
The Meiri and the Attitude Toward Gentiles
Question
Hello Rabbi!
Can one rely today on the opinion of the Meiri, which to the best of my knowledge is a lone opinion, regarding the attitude toward gentiles? Can one argue that one cannot, because of “follow the majority”?
Thank you in advance!
Answer
“Follow the majority” is the source for the rule of following the majority. But when I am not in doubt, I am not obligated to follow the majority. Like that joke about Rabbi Jonathan Eybeschutz and the priest who asked him why the Jews do not follow the Christians, since they are the majority.
Therefore, if you hold like the Meiri, then you should act accordingly. And if not—then not. Only if you are in doubt is there room for the claim that one should follow the majority (and even there it is not clear, because the halakhic decisors wrote that when the majority did not deliberate together, the rule of “follow the majority” does not apply).
Discussion on Answer
All in all, a strange answer. After all, even one who defies the Sanhedrin when they ruled by majority could justify himself by saying that following the majority applies only in cases of doubt, and in his opinion there is no doubt here. More than that: even the judge whose view was not accepted (because there was a majority against him) could defy the ruling, since in his opinion there is no doubt.
Judah, indeed—provided he is competent. See my article on autonomy.
Benjamin, your question is the strange thing here. The Torah grants authority to the Sanhedrin, and the meaning of authority is that there is an obligation to obey them even if I think they are mistaken (without getting into here the complicated question of someone who errs regarding the commandment to heed the words of the sages). What does that have to do with our discussion? Following the majority is a rule of conduct in cases of doubt. Obeying the Sanhedrin is an ordinary obligation regardless of situations of doubt.
So then who is the source of authority—each person for himself??