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The Torah as a limitation

שו”תCategory: philosophyThe Torah as a limitation
asked 8 years ago

peace,
I want to understand what the rabbi’s position is on the subject of individual freedom and its limitation by the Torah. He is referring to all the rights that were achieved several decades ago on the subject of individual freedom, such as: equality between women and men, equality between all people (regardless of race or religion), the individual’s right to choose a public leader, freedom of worship. All of these and many more are of course not consistent with traditional Jewish law.
Therefore, should we give up these values ​​that seem (at least to me) to be just and worthy of any just society in order to return to the old period when a king ruled and the law should determine the course of life of the entire country and limit it, or is there a need for change? And if so, where is the line drawn between what is permissible to change and what is not?
Thank you very much.

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0 Answers
מיכי Staff answered 8 years ago

Hello, this is too general a question to discuss here.
There is no general answer for everyone. Each such value requires its own discussion, both as to its content and as to the possibility of adapting it to Halacha or changing Halacha.

חיים זעליג ברגר replied 8 years ago

See the Rabbi's article here – in its second half, and in the references:
https://mikyab.net/%D7%9E%D7%AA%D7%95%D7%95%D7%94-%D7%94%D7%9B%D7%95%D7%AA%D7%9C-%D7%95%D7%97%D7%95%D7%A7-%D7%94%D7%92%D7%99%D7%95%D7%A8-%D7%9E%D7%91%D7%98-%D7%A0%D7%95%D7%A1%D7%A3-%D7%A2%D7%9C-%D7%9B%D7%A4%D7%99%D7%9C/

In the S”D’ Bakhshon ”H

To David – Greetings,

Unlimited freedom has a blessing but also a risk. When society does not dictate to the individual the world of appropriate values – the responsibility passes to him. He can rise and choose goodness out of full recognition and will, and he can, God forbid, deteriorate into the abysses of idolatry and incest, and alienation, jealousy and hatred that remove a person from the world.

Precisely in a social atmosphere of freedom, we need to strengthen ourselves from a deep understanding, through the Torah, which deepens our faith in the source of morality and directs our ways to do what is good and honest.

With greetings, S.C. Levinger.

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