Q&A: Clarifying the Steipler’s Words
Clarifying the Steipler’s Words
Question
Hello Rabbi.
The Steipler, in his book Chayei Olam, chapter 25, speaks about “how false views are spread,” and explains very clearly how mythologies are formed.
I wanted to ask: what exactly is the distinction between what he says and Judaism?
Answer
Hello.
I am not familiar with the Steipler’s remarks, so I will answer in general terms.
The fact that false views can be created in some way does not mean that every view is false. It does not even mean that every view that appears to have been formed in a similar way is false.
Determining whether a view is false or not is done by examining the view itself (its internal logic on its own terms) and by examining its sources. Once such an examination shows that it is false, one can then ask how it was formed and accepted if it is false. The mode of formation in itself—and certainly a suspicion about one mode of formation or another—does not mean that the view is false.
And about this our sages said (ibid., ibid.) that just because you’re paranoid doesn’t mean they aren’t after you. And I, your humble servant, added (in the column about cults) that even if they are after you, that doesn’t mean you’re not paranoid.