Q&A: Editing the Talmud
Editing the Talmud
Question
Peace and blessings!
In many places, the Tosafists, and sometimes even the Amoraim, maintain that certain statements in the Talmud were said merely as a rejection and do not constitute a real answer, etc.; or that the Talmud was aware of the difficulties, but for the moment chose to ignore them. There are many more examples of this as well.
Unfortunately, I have not been able to understand this. Does intellectual honesty not require the editors of the Talmud to write only things they actually stand behind, and not mislead the reader (forgive the bluntness)?
Answer
It has to be discussed in each case on its own merits. Sometimes there is room to present a mere rejection, at least when it is not brought as a definitive statement. But in principle you are right that it is forced to say this, and if there is another interpretation of the Talmud, it should be preferred.