Q&A: The Authority of the Sages
The Authority of the Sages
Question
Hello,
I read several things you wrote about the difference between the formal authority and the substantive authority of the Sages. They cannot tell us what to think, only what to do, and that is why you think what you think. But in any case, they can say that you are forbidden to persuade others of your views. So what is the justification for this site’s existence? After all, you are inciting people here to thoughts that, according to the Sages, are heretical thoughts, and that is something forbidden to do!
Answer
Indeed, regarding such a prohibition there is no obstacle to defining it conceptually (it is not an oxymoron). But the fact that it can be defined does not mean that I accept it.
I do not accept any prohibition against examining my views and spreading them, even if someone thinks they are heresy. I have explained this more than once regarding “do not stray” (you can search for it here on the site).
All this assumes that you are right that my thoughts here would be considered by the Sages as heresy. I am inclined to deny that as well, although the topic does not really trouble me.