Myth and Historical Truth

The Rabbi’s Opening Post

Myth and Historical Truth

Posted on 6/9/2004

| |

Myth and Historical Truth

The Chief of Staff (=Bogie) wrote at the beginning of the thread on the revelation at Mount Sinai:

I agree with Veto (and I wrote this as well in an earlier post) that, in truth, it does not really matter to anyone what exactly happened; the question is more, ‘where’s the payoff?’ That is, what does a person gain from believing what they are told happened: progress and/or social convenience.

Does it really not matter what happened, but only the message?

This is indeed the modern conception of myths, but in my opinion it is not entirely correct.

Just as a starting point, I will cite the ban in the Responsa of the Rashba (nos. 416–418) against allegorical interpretation of Scripture (that of Yedaya HaPenini, a disciple of the author of HaHashlama, and his circle).

And the question arises: what exactly did the Rashba want from the allegorists? What difference does it make whether Abraham and Sarah existed or did not exist, or whether the revelation at Mount Sinai occurred, if the main point is that Yedaya and his circle observed the commandments, minor and major alike.

I now turn the floor over to the members of the panel.

Source (forum "Stop, People Think Here"): http://www.bhol.co.il/forums/topic.asp?topic_id=1099723