Q&A: Make for Yourself a Rabbi
Make for Yourself a Rabbi
Question
What is the logic behind this instruction? It seems more logical to me to learn from everyone, filter things, and accept only what you understand and what makes sense to you.
Answer
You are assuming that “make for yourself a rabbi” means only one rabbi, and to accept everything he says. That is not at all necessary. What is important is that you make for yourself a rabbi to learn from. If you want, make yourself several rabbis. And even then there is no obligation to obey, especially if you make that clear to them in advance. I already told here in the past about the relationship between me and my yeshiva teacher, who was also a kind of rabbi for me. But it was clear to both of us that these were not instructions I was receiving, but consultation and help in forming a position. I thank him every moment of my life for all the good he bestowed on me and for the help he gave me in shaping my views (I assume he regrets them very often).
The Talmud in tractate Avodah Zarah says that anyone who learns from only one rabbi does not see a sign of blessing in his learning.