Q&A: Following the Majority
Following the Majority
Question
How do we derive the principle of majority in the case of the nine shops from the majority of judges? In the first case we are dealing with pure probability, whereas in the second this is not really a matter of probability at all, but rather one set of arguments against another, and with no alternative we follow the majority. It is not the same underlying principle.
Answer
I didn’t understand the question. Are you asking for a preview of the next lecture?
Discussion on Answer
Forgive me for hijacking the thread; I didn’t want to open a new question just for this. There used to be a quote on the site, alongside the quote from Rabbi Kook in Shemonah Kevatzim, another quote, which if I’m not mistaken was from the Maharal, about how one should not distance from reason any clarification or inquiry, or something along those lines. I’d be happy for a reference to that source, whether from the Rabbi or from anyone who remembers the quote. Thank you very much.
Unfortunately, I don’t remember.
Oren the editor doesn’t either.
Thanks. If anyone does remember, I’d be glad if they’d say. It was there until quite recently, no more than a few weeks ago…
“And therefore it is not proper to distance any matter that opposes one’s view, out of love for inquiry and knowledge… Even if the things are against his faith and religion, one should not say to him: Do not speak, and shut your mouth; for if so, there will be no clarification of the religion. On the contrary, regarding such a thing one says: Speak as much as you wish… For concealing the words of one who opposes the religion is nothing but the nullification and weakening of the religion… For reason requires that there be no prevention of this at all, and that one not shut a person’s mouth regarding something that touches on religion; rather, the presentation of the religion is given over to all… And through this a person arrives at the true content of matters and stands on complete truth, and there is no shutting off of matters such as these. For any mighty man who wishes to oppose someone in order to show his strength very much wants the one who comes against him to strengthen himself as much as he can; and then, if he defeats that mighty one who came to prevail against him, it is evident that the victor is especially mighty.” (Be’er HaGolah, Seventh Well, Maharal of Prague).
Thank you very much!
😂 No. I brought the topic up at the Sabbath table and this question came up.
I didn’t know you were going to talk about it in the next lecture.
All right.