Q&A: Torah from Heaven
Originally published:
This is an English translation (via GPT-5.4). Read the original Hebrew version.
Torah from Heaven
Question
Hello Rabbi.
Can one say that the meaning of “Torah from Heaven” is a metaphor for the idea that the words of the Sages come from pure intellect, perhaps free of materiality—that is, from people on a very high spiritual level?
Answer
In my opinion, no. The Sages were people like me and you. “Torah from Heaven” means that the interpretations that developed over the generations are a product of what was given to us at Sinai and are considered part of it (in terms of their binding authority, even though there may be mistakes there, and it is even likely that there are quite a few).