Q&A: Authority
Authority
Question
Hello Rabbi,
The Rabbi has written more than once that the authority of the Sages is not regarding what to think about facts, but regarding Jewish law.
And also: that assessments such as “it is better to dwell as two than to dwell alone,” or “a person does not make his intercourse an act of promiscuity” — we can disagree with that assessment
and assess things differently from the Talmud.
What about the following law?
A person is obligated to give up his life rather than violate the prohibition of murder. The Sages derived this from reasoning:
“Why do you think your blood is redder? Perhaps that man’s blood is redder.”
If someone is very wise and does not accept this reasoning — he has difficulties with it and proofs —
can he disagree with this law?
Thank you very much.
Answer
Hypothetically maybe yes, but practically, in my opinion, no. Once this is not a fact but a norm, the Sages’ determination is binding. If you are completely convinced that this is a mistake, then perhaps it could be seen as an error about a fact because of moral realism (see column 456). But I do not think such a level of conviction is possible with regard to issues like these.
Discussion on Answer
Honestly, I didn’t really understand.
A norm, even one based on reasoning, is not a fact.
This is connected to the “pasht nisht” issue (search for it here on the site).