Non-Torah Topics In Gemara

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asked 5 years ago

Hello,

This is a question that has been bothering me for some time. We know that in the Gemara there are topics that seem not to be Torah-related (for example the refuot in Perek Mi SheAchazo).

If we were to find these references in the exact same words in an old medical textbook, it would be obvious that this is not Torah. Now that this is in the Gemara, does this become Torah somehow? Can I say Birchos HaTorah? Can I read it in the bathroom or on Tisha B’Av?

If it is Torah, why? Other than the fact that it is printed in the Vilna Shas.

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מיכי Staff answered 5 years ago

Hello. I have written more than once that in my opinion this has nothing to do with Torah and one should not bless the Torah for it. In my opinion, even with regard to the legends of the Shas, it is very doubtful whether one can bless them. It is like a court of law clarifying a factual and even scientific matter for the purpose of deciding. This clarification is not Torah but rather a mitzvah instrument. Regarding the remedies, not only is this not Torah, but it is also not medicine, because it is widely known today that they are not real.

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שאול replied 5 years ago

Hello,
Can the Rabbi please give a definition of what is considered “Torat Emet” / “Dibur Meha Geburah” / “Emet Eloheit” (I don't know exactly how to define it).
For example, the five books of the Torah are definitely “Torat Emet” right?
So what exactly is also considered ”Divine Truth”?
Thank you very much

ישי replied 5 years ago

We accept the Gemara not because of “speaking from the Gevura” but because of the authority of the Gemara, so it doesn’t really matter what is from heaven and what is not. Basically, the Maimonides says that everything that was not disputed by the people of Israel was received directly from Moses, who received it from the’.

מיכי replied 5 years ago

But that's only in the halakhic parts. In my opinion, not in the legends and certainly not in the rabbis.
Maimonides says that what was received from Moses was not disputed (clearly improbable), and not that everything that was not disputed is from Moses.