Kabbalah and Halacha
Hello Rabbi Michael.
There are laws that are influenced by Kabbalistic concepts, and this causes quite a bit of damage, for example – the prohibition of ejaculating in vain, which took on enormous dimensions (in my opinion, too much) in the “Shulchan Aruch”, etc. What is your opinion on the subject? Are you in favor of integrating Kabbalistic concepts into the law or should they be separated? I will point out that the question (in addition to other reasons) stems from an article of yours that I read about heresy and freedom of expression in the realm of beliefs and opinions.
Thank you in advance.
First, I don’t see the connection between my words about beliefs and opinions (not related in any way to freedom of expression, nor really to freedom) and your question.
Regarding your question, it is based on a mistake. This is not a question of policy (should or shouldn’t it be incorporated), but of factual perception. The question is whether you see Kabbalah as a reliable halakhic source or not. I don’t really see it as a source of authority, so I don’t think we should get too excited about Kabbalistic statements. Those who do see it as such a source should incorporate. In general, questions of expediency are not important to me in such discussions.
And finally, note that your very assertion that the combination brings harm assumes that there is no real Kabbalah, so why is it surprising that you don’t want to combine? Anyone who sees it as a reliable source is also not bothered by the problems you raise, because in his opinion it is not harm. This is the halachic truth.
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