This class begins with the dispute between Rabbi Yehoshua and Rabbi Eliezer, which culminates in Rabbi Yehoshua’s famous statement, “It is not in Heaven.” From this time forth, prophets, dreamers and visionaries had no more say in the halakhic decision making process than the sages. Halakha was decided by the majority, not by the Divine. This is codified by Maimonides.
Yet, it contradicts a fundamental principle that the halakha is like Beit Hillel, because that statement was uttered by a Divine Voice.
We will also look at several examples of halakha that did come from Heaven, including the Ra’avad, Beit Yosef and Responsa from Heaven.
