- Torah Portion and Tanach
- Vayikra
1437
In the final chapter of Pirkei Avot (which is not a part of the mishna of Avot itself) called Perek Kinyan Torah - the chapter concerning the acquisition of Torah knowledge - one of the methods of acquiring such Torah knowledge and direction is emunat chachamim - belief in the teachings of the wise Torah scholars of Israel. Though there are differing interpretations as to the latitude of this concept and whether it applies even to all matters of personal and national life generally, all agree that as far as Torah teaching is concerned it is an applicable and necessary value and belief. The basis for this value is what has been described above in the previous paragraph - ultimate belief of the Jewish people in the divinity of Torah as transmitted to them by Moshe. The Torah at Sinai was given once. That scene would never be repeated again. Thus the burden of the transmission and teaching of Torah now rested with human beings - with the Torah scholars of every age and era. And one of the tests of Jewish life would be the trust and faith that the people as a whole would entrust to the teachings and direction of those scholars - emunat chachamim if you will. This human relationship of generational trust and teaching is the hallmark of halacha throughout the history of Israel. Moshe still speaks to us even if we are unable to hear the heavenly voice emanating from the Mishkan/Tabernacle itself. This is the basis of Jewish continuity and vitality till today.

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