Q&A: An Amusing Pilpul
An Amusing Pilpul
Question
A funny sharp question someone asked me about your statements: (a) You accept that the Sages have formal authority. (b) You accept that according to the Sages you are defined as a heretic. (c) You admit that according to Jewish law it is forbidden to publicize heretical views. Conclusion: according to your own words, you are forbidden to publish your own views. On which point do you disagree?
Answer
I disagree with b. And I disagree with c, because there is no prohibition on publishing. If someone thinks there is a prohibition regarding heresy, that is essentially because of being such a person. And even if there is a prohibition on publishing, I do not accept it, because it is based on a mistake. And I also disagree with the conclusion, since it does not necessarily follow from the premises. In the same way, someone who desecrates the Sabbath is forbidden to drink his own wine (you can present exactly the same argument). If that is what I think, then according to my view I am also permitted to publish it. But aside from that, everything in this argument is correct.