I can't resist posting on the very end of the discussion from 9b that concludes on the top of 10a. Rav interprets a verse from Zechariah (8:10 - "and to one who goes or comes there is no peace") as someone who goes from studying halakha to studying Mikra. Shmuel expands this by saying it is also in the case of someone who goes from studying Talmud to Mishna. Rabbi Yohanan concludes by adding someone who goes from Shas to Shas (ie from studying the Talmud Yerushalmi to the Talmud Bavli).
What is this saying? Perhaps its saying that we should always except the most recent incarnation of Torah (a la halakha k'batrey), otherwise you will not find peace. How appropriate for the positive-historical school of Judaism (aka the Conservative Movement), who tries to understand texts in the context. Though this may get us to a purer understanding of the texts, it certainly doesn't bring us peace. However, there are times when you have to go back before you can move forward. When what is assumed by many to be the most recent incarnation of Torah is extreme and divisive, and doesn't feel like the Torah of our ancestors at all. Maybe in that case, going back is the only way to achieve peace in the future.
Thursday, February 28, 2008
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Is it a coincidence that the mishna right after this sugiya is about the Torah sources for some halakhot being suspended by a hair? I think not. It is as if the Gemarra anticipated this next mishna and that it is why it is urging people not to go back.
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