Q&A: Scientific Determination in Talmudic Topics
Scientific Determination in Talmudic Topics
Question
Is there room to decide disputes in the laws of mixtures by means of scientific considerations? For example, to say whether steam and moisture carry a drop of milk into a piece of meat by testing it with scientific methods. Is there any difference in this respect between disputes among Amoraim and disputes among medieval authorities (Rishonim)?
Answer
Absolutely. Questions of fact are decided in an empirical scientific way. But not every halakhic claim is a factual claim. When people say that something absorbs, the question is what exactly “absorption” means. Experiments were done at Bar-Ilan on absorption in utensils, and those involved also drew halakhic conclusions from them: https://faculty.biu.ac.il/~fixeled/FixlerFrankBliea.pdf.
See also here: https://www.machonso.org/hamaayan/?gilayon=29&id=995
It really makes no difference whether we are dealing with Talmudic topics involving the Amoraim or with medieval authorities (Rishonim). A fact is a fact. And if there is an erroneous factual claim in the Talmud, then it is erroneous and should be rejected.