Wednesday 23 September 2009

Sanhedrin of 70, and 70 Languages

The two uses of 70 are probably NOT co-incidental! However, I have a "modern" twist to the requirement of Sanhedrin knowing 70 languages

My late teacher Prof. MS Feldblum opined:


[In our modern world] 70 languages could refer to the languages of: biology, chemistry, physics, etc. IOW Sanhedrin needed the languages of the entire world in order to be worldly. Being at least conversant in the jargon of science and technology is part of that equation.


And so some form of Torah Im Derech Eretz [TIDE] or Torah uMadda [TuM] is a prerequisite for such a lofty position

Thus, rabbanim and musmachim need well-roundedness in order to function in a highly technical society.

R MD Tendler is an exemplar of this kind of rabbi. And R M Feinstein could consult him to enable and to empower him to make P'saq compliant to the highest ideals of Torah

Gmar Tov
RRW

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