Q&A: The Torah as a Constraint
The Torah as a Constraint
Question
Hello,
I want to understand the Rabbi’s position on individual freedom and its restriction by the Torah. I mean all the rights that were achieved a few decades ago regarding personal liberty, such as: equality between women and men, equality between all human beings (without distinction of race or religion), the individual’s right to choose a public leader, and freedom of worship. All these, and many others, of course do not align with traditional Jewish law.
Therefore, should we give up these values, which seem (at least to me) just and fitting for any just society, in order to return to the old era in which a king rules and Jewish law is supposed to determine the course of life for everyone in the land and restrict them, or is there a need here for change? And if so, where is the line between what may be changed and what may not?
Thank you very much.
Answer
Hello.
This is too general a question to discuss here.
There is no single general answer for all of them. Each such value requires discussion on its own, both regarding its content and regarding the possibility of adapting it to Jewish law or changing the Jewish law.
Discussion on Answer
With God’s help, 4 Cheshvan 5778
To David — greetings,
There is blessing in unlimited choice, but there is also risk. When society does not dictate to the individual the proper world of values, the responsibility passes to him. He can rise higher and choose the good מתוך recognition and full willingness, and Heaven forbid he can deteriorate into the depths of idolatry and forbidden sexual relations, and into alienation, jealousy, and hatred, which drive a person out of the world.
Precisely in a social atmosphere of freedom, we need to strengthen ourselves through deep understanding, by way of the Torah, which deepens one’s faith in the source of morality and sets our paths straight to do what is good and upright.
With blessings, S. Z. Levinger.
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/