Q&A: Interpreting the Mishnah
Interpreting the Mishnah
Question
Are we allowed (or is it even relevant) to propose a different interpretation of a particular Mishnah from that of the Talmud? And to act in accordance with it? I mean after seeing that Prof. Israel Aumann apparently interprets a Mishnah in Ketubot differently from the way the Talmud explained it, and several rabbis took issue with him over that. What is actually wrong with that?
Answer
As for interpreting—certainly it is possible. The best-known example is in Tosafot Yom Tov, chapter 5 of Nazir. Acting according to that interpretation is more problematic, because we have accepted the authority of the Talmud. But in a case where it seems clear to you that the Talmud erred in understanding the Mishnah (and it itself gives hints that its interpretation is unconvincing), there is room to interpret it differently even for Jewish law. By the way, Aumann did not interpret it against the Talmud; rather, he anchored it in other Talmudic opinions.
Discussion on Answer
In my opinion, no. We wrote an entire book about it (number 13 in the Talmudic Logic series). I also argued with him about several points.
In that book, do you offer an organized and systematic interpretation of these passages?
No. I survey various considerations, including Aumann's.
Do you believe in or are you convinced by his explanation of the Mishnah? In explaining the passage at the beginning of Bava Metzia and chapter 10 of Ketubot based on game theory, was he right? Did it turn out that this is apparently the correct interpretation of the passages?