Wednesday 14 October 2009

The Who Said vs. The What Said

Background:

Many years ago RM Hecht gifted me a "Hirsch Pirkei Avos". I am in the process of reviewing this topic.


Avos 1:8*

Hirsch's Commentary includes a very wise quote about litigants:

"For there are disputes in which even the best man may be in the wrong and the worst man in the right."

(In the Hirsch Siddur p. 425)


Isn't this also true re: Halachic disputes between Posqim? VIZ. That the minor Poseiq gets it right and the major Poseiq does not?


IOW doesn't the Truth of the WHAT trump the Opinion of the WHO?


Shalom,

RRW


* for text and Kehatti in English see
Torah Community Connections | Mishna Yomit
http://www.moreshet.net/oldsite/mishna/5762/2-06-02/monday.htm.

Snip from Kehatti:

«"and while the litigants stand before you look upon them as if they are guilty -"

during the investigation of their arguments retain a critical attitude towards both parties, since either might be making false claims, and probe the case thoroughly to arrive at the truth;

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