Q&A: Da'at Torah
Da'at Torah
Question
From a halakhic perspective, is there an obligation to listen to the leading Torah authority of the generation or not?
If possible, I’d be happy for sources.
Answer
First, one has to determine who the leading authority of the generation actually is. Assuming there is such a person, he does have certain powers (such as corporal punishments, confiscation of property). But I do not think he has authority that obligates obedience. There is a collection of sources on this in Rabbi Naftali Tzvi Yehuda Bar-Ilan’s book, Regime and State in Israel According to the Torah, Eretz Hemdah, Jerusalem 2013, part 1, p. 84 and onward.
Discussion on Answer
According to Sefer HaChinukh, yes. But the medieval authorities did not agree with him, because the plain meaning of the verses and the words of the Sages on this topic indicate that this refers only to the Sanhedrin.
Indeed, Dvir answered nicely.
And if we assume that we know who the leading authority of the generation is, do the verses “And you shall do according to all that they instruct you” and “Do not turn aside” apply to him as well?