Basic Halakhic Concepts

Our first topic focuses on the role of majority rule in halacha. When the poskim are divided, must we follow the majority?

A source sheet with principal sources is available through the links in both WORD format and pdf. In class we will translate and explain these sources.

Subsequent topics will include:

Following the most recent authority

Embracing the stricter (or more lenient) opinion

The authority of the local rav

The role of minhag in establishing halacha

When rabbis disagree with each other, the rules of halachic decision making call for embracing the most recent opinion.

Although this rule does not appear in the Gemara, it has been widely accepted since the days of the Geonim.

We will survey the opinions of the leading poskim regarding the application of this rule.

As usual, sources are available through the links. In class we will focus on the most important of the sources in the links.

Next topic: The power of human reason.

We will survey the sources according to which all mankind is obligated to conform to the dictates of human reason.

Note that according to these sources, human reason obligates non-Jews and Jews equally. This, therefore, has an element of universalism to it.

As usual, a source sheet is available through the links.

Source sheet for הוצאת לעז על הראשונים (being stricter than earlier generations and thereby slandering them for having failed to keep the mitsvot correctly).