Q&A: R. Shimon Shkop on the Authority of the Sages
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R. Shimon Shkop on the Authority of the Sages
Question
Hello Rabbi,
As is well known, Rabbi Shimon Shkop’s approach regarding the authority of the sages is that it stems from reason and logic itself, and therefore it is binding on everyone. I find this approach very difficult, because if someone does not grasp the sages’ full reasoning and has not succeeded in understanding the rationale of the ruling, what reason would he have to obey?
Answer
If we are talking about the Sanhedrin, they have formal authority. If it is not the Sanhedrin, then don’t obey.