Q&A: About the Rabbi’s View on the Authority of the Sages, and Regarding Prayer, and About Commandments in the Torah
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About the Rabbi’s View on the Authority of the Sages, and Regarding Prayer, and About Commandments in the Torah
Question
Hello, honored Rabbi: I wanted to ask about three matters
- I’ve heard several times from the Rabbi (in passing) that in his view the authority that obligates us extends only up to the Talmud (inclusive). I would appreciate it if the Rabbi could explain this to me or direct me to a place where the matter is explained.
- How can one deal with the obligation to pray every day using the same fixed wording? There are various explanations—does your honor have a different approach, or even more than that?
- There are commandments and laws that are so irrelevant to the way we live today (the commandment of giving the first shearing, slaves, the treatment of rape, all the commandments connected to the field). What troubles me about this is the thought it creates—that the Torah is not really eternal, because an eternal book should remain relevant even after thousands of years. I know that the Rabbi never sends anyone away empty-handed, and knowing this I apologize for the bother; question 3 is what troubles me most. Many thanks for all the helpful material that is here. I bless the Rabbi that he should merit to continue in all his endeavors, with strong health, happiness, and prosperity.
Answer
1. In my book Moves Among the Standing. See Rosh on Sanhedrin, chapter 4, section 6.
2. No.
3. Not all commandments need to be applicable at all times. That has nothing to do with the eternity of the Torah. Its eternity is not about its relevance, but about the fact that it is not to be changed. See Maimonides, positive commandment 187.
Gladly.