Q&A: The Original Intention of the Giver of the Torah
The Original Intention of the Giver of the Torah
Question
Hello Rabbi,
I seem to remember that you said in the past that our interpretation of the Torah probably does not fully match the original intention of the Giver of the Torah. On the other hand, you said that the Torah was given on the understanding that we would interpret it according to our own understanding. So apparently the Holy One, blessed be He, knew from the outset that we would interpret it not in accordance with His original intention. So maybe that actually is His original intention? Or perhaps He had no original intention at all regarding the correct interpretation of the Torah?
Best regards,
Answer
Not all of our interpretations match it. Not that nothing matches.
I assume He did have some intention, otherwise it would just be a game. But He also understood that there is no avoiding human interpretations, some of which would be mistaken, and it was on that basis that He gave the Torah. I think that is the meaning of the Oven of Akhnai aggadah.