YeshivaThe torah world Gateway
Beit Midrash
- Sections
- Chemdat Yamim
- Ein Ayah
[There was a disagreement among the rabbis regarding the blessing after eating dates. Rabban Gamliel, a strong leader who, in this case, held the minority opinion, was eating with a group of rabbis. He asked Rabbi Akiva to make the blessing on behalf of all, assuming he would follow Rabban Gamliel’s ruling, but Rabbi Akiva took the other approach.] Rabban Gamliel said to him: "How long will you place your head in the midst of the disagreement?" [Rabbi Akiva] responded: "Although you say that way and your friends say that way, you have taught us that when there is a disagreement between the majority and the minority, we are to follow the majority."
Ein Ayah: The fundamental idea behind the way to decide among differing opinions is based on the pursuit of truth and of peace. Sometimes, the power of truth prevails, and sometimes the power of peace prevails. Let us now explain.
Certainly, in all cases of disagreement and/or doubt, we should inquire what the truth is, which can be ascertained by means of logic and corroborating sources. However, when we cannot conclude what the truth is, we still need to determine which ruling to follow, and the rule is: "Lean in the direction of the many" (Shemot 23:2). The reason to make such a decision is for peace, so that there not be a multitude of disagreement in Israel.
Rabban Gamliel complained to Rabbi Akiva for the latter’s "placing his head in the midst of the disagreement," in other words, for thinking that he was able to decide (with his head) whose opinion was more correct. Rabbi Akiva answered that he had not acted based on a decision of who he thought was correct. Rather, the need for peace, which is a foundation of the world, demands that he act as he did. In other words, he was not putting his head, or intellect, in the midst of the disagreement and thereby seemingly discounting the words of his teacher [Rabban Gamliel]. Rather, even if it turned out that the truth is with Rabban Gamliel, it is better not to rule like him because of peace. It is apparently for this reason that Rabbi Akiva did not cite the pasuk of "lean in the direction of the many." The commentators point out that the rule found in the pasuk works only when all of the participants in the disagreement are present at the same place, as we shall explain. One can inquire if the logic behind the pasuk is that the majority probably represents the truth, or that the need for peace dictates to follow the majority. Regarding truth, when all are together and hear the others’ arguments, we assume that the majority considered everything and are more likely to have come to the correct decision. When they are not together, we have to consider that had they heard the other side, they might have conceded. However, regarding peace, even if they are not in the same place, the majority has an advantage.
One can also say that these two ways of looking at the matter are behind the disagreements between Beit Shamai and Beit Hillel. We are told that the members of Beit Shamai were, on average, sharper than those of Beit Hillel, but Beit Hillel constituted a majority. Beit Shamai reasoned that numbers should not make a difference when one side has a clear intellectual advantage at arriving at the truth. Beit Hillel felt that the basis for following the majority has to do with keeping the peace, in which case the level of the scholar is not the determining factor. Since we accept the idea of following the majority even regarding cases where the groups are not present together, we see that the matter has to do with peace. In any case, following the majority is not a matter of taking sides to denigrate the opinion of the opposing minority scholars.
Various Rabbis
Various Rabbis including those of of Yeshivat Bet El, such as Rabbi Chaim Katz, Rabbi Binyamin Bamberger and Rabbi Yitzchak Greenblat and others.
Moreshet Shaul Moreshet Shaul: A Crown and its Scepter – part II
Based on Siach Shaul, Pirkei Machshava V’Hadracha p. 294-5
Rabbis in Midrash
Lessons
fast navigation
The Land of Israel LGBT'S IN ISRAEL
The question was asked, how can one make Aliyah with the LGBT parades?
Kuzari -Rabbi Ari Shvat Kuzari class 7 - Five Accumulative Proofs of G-d
As a preparation for the Kuzari's classic proof of G-d from the mass-revelation at Sinai, we start here with 5 other directions to strengthen our belief which also contribute to what the Kuzari will present as well.
Ein Aya Muscle & Meaning: The Dual Nature of Gevurah (Physical Strength)
Is physical strength and fitness a necessity or an ideal? Although it if often totally overlooked among topics of Judaism, Rav Kook writes that it clearly is also a necessity to deter the many enemies of Israel, but even in Y'mot HaMashiach, in the Messianic era, to a certain extent, it's ideal continues even after our enemies will have been finished off.
Chukat "HOW ENTEBBE STOLE THE BICENTENNIAL
The Difference Between Historic & Eternal"
As we approach America's 250th birthday, it's worth remembering her 200th Bicentennial birthday, on Jul. 4th 1976, when Israel "stole the show" by shocking the world & miraculously saving 101 hostages in a foreign continent. As Pres. As Pres. Trump decides which countries get priority in his new Middle-East, it's worth reminding him of the difference between historic events and eternally historic ones. This obviously connects with this week's parsha, as well!
Kuzari -Rabbi Ari Shvat Kuzari class 6 - The Parable of the King of India
The advantages of testimony over circumstantial evidence or philosophical speculation.
Kuzari -Rabbi Ari Shvat Kuzari class 5- "Proofs of G-d"
This may be the most important class of the entire book, where we finally get to the Jewish proof of the existence of G-d and truth of the Torah. We should follow His own direction where He tells us how to get to Him: through the Nation of Israel: Jewish history, Jewish prophets (and today, prophecies fulfilled), and national reward & punishment towards Am Yisrael.
Ein Aya One Humanity, One Creator, One Jerusalem
Rav Kook innovatively and beautifully explains this aggadeta where our sages say that after Jerusalem was destroyed her cinnamon fragrance is only found locked in a particular kingdom's treasury.
