Q&A: Can the Rabbi refer me to a book / series of articles / recorded lectures of his that deals with the logic of the Written Torah and the Oral Torah
Can the Rabbi refer me to a book / series of articles / recorded lectures of his that deals with the logic of the Written Torah and the Oral Torah
Question
That is, what are the proofs for the truth of the Written Torah and the Oral Torah, and how did this whole thing work—what exactly was given at Mount Sinai, and how did it develop over the generations? What is the authority of the Written Torah, what is the authority of the Oral Torah? What is the authority of the Tannaim, what is the authority of the Amoraim, what is the authority of the Geonim, what is the authority of the medieval authorities (Rishonim) and the halakhic decisors of later generations? In short: how is the Torah structured, and what are the reasons to believe in its truth and to rely on the sages of the generations who authentically continued the tradition?
Answer
I have dealt with all these things, but I don’t have one comprehensive source that covers all of them. My trilogy is the closest thing, especially the third book, which deals with Jewish law.
Discussion on Answer
On the contrary, it’s an excellent series (not a book). As is his way, Rabbi Shmuel covers the topics thoroughly with common sense, and in many cases says what I say, just more gently and with reliance on sources. Highly recommended.
Speaking of which, I remembered that there is also a book by Rabbi Yehoshua Enbal. I haven’t read it, but the presumption is that the man did fine work, as is his way. Though in his case there is usually a defense of the accepted approaches, and although that is generally done tastefully, I often find myself disagreeing with the apologetics. But even without reading it, I’m sure the book is excellent and recommended.
Hello Rabbi,
If I may ask, what is your familiarity with Rabbi Enbal? Have you read his books, heard him, or is it some other kind of acquaintance?
I’ve read some of his things (and we’ve also had a chance to meet).
After the request for an apology over “Would you also assault the queen while she is with me in the house,” there is Rabbi Shmuel Ariel’s book He Planted Within Us, which deals with some of these issues in an orderly and comprehensive way.