Q&A: Addressing the Argument Rather Than the Person Making It
Addressing the Argument Rather Than the Person Making It
Question
The Rabbi always emphasizes that it is important to address the argument rather than the person making it in any discussion, including Torah and halakhic discussion.
But when it comes to Jewish law at least, doesn’t the Rabbi see some importance in who is making the claim as well?
For example: in the comments on the post about the authority of the halakhic decisor, I cited in that context things written by “Orchotekha Lamdeini,” who hides his identity and whose real identity is unknown. Yet hundreds of Torah scholars regularly ask him halakhic questions by email without knowing who he is, and they receive detailed halakhic answers from him—all anonymously, with complete anonymity, and only through virtual contact by email.
Would you, for example, take such a case naturally, מתוך the view that it doesn’t matter who the person behind the answers is and that one should relate only to the answers themselves, without thinking at all about who is writing them? Or in your opinion is there nevertheless importance to the person behind the words—who he is and what he is—when it comes to Jewish law and halakhic rulings?
I’m interested in your opinion……….
Answer
It has no importance whatsoever. In any case, it is not correct to accept something just because he wrote it. One should examine the claims on their own merits.