Q&A: The Majority of It Is as the Whole of It
The Majority of It Is as the Whole of It
Question
Do you have a systematic framework on the issue of “the majority of it is as the whole of it,” one that fits with all the halakhic examples? As you know, there are many examples, and they contradict one another.
Answer
I understand that you’re expecting here a full essay on the topic of “the majority of it is as the whole of it,” in which I would also raise the difficulties and survey possible solutions. I don’t provide that service.
If you have a concrete question, you’re welcome to raise it, and then it will be possible to discuss it.
By the way, as far as I remember, there aren’t many examples of this in the Talmud. In the commentators there are a few more.
Discussion on Answer
On second thought, it seems to me that we never say “the majority of it is as the whole of it” about anything except where it was stated as a halakha transmitted to Moses at Sinai, or in a case where the “majority” is not completely exclusive of the “whole,” such as a majority of ten who finished praying. And even that, in truth, is learned from the verse “follow the majority,” that a majority suffices when the whole is also present.
And therefore, with all quantitative measures, a majority does not suffice unless it was stated as a halakha transmitted to Moses at Sinai.
If there’s a contradictory example, I’d be glad to hear it.
I don’t know what this name spooky9bbe460711 is; it didn’t give me an option to use my own name.
See the source references at the bottom of the Michi Bot response:
https://chatgpt.com/share/68cfdff6-9230-8001-a7f2-6077c776cab9