In this episode, Rabbi Reinman discusses emunah peshutah, simple faith, and explains why there are over a hundred mitzvos related to the Exodus from Egypt and only one related to the Giving of the Torah.
The second fundamental belief of Classical Judaism is that the Torah is the inviolate word of God, that it was given to the Jewish people at Mount Sinai after they emerged from centuries of bondage in Egypt. These events are recorded in the Torah, and we accept them as absolutely true.
But how do we know that God really gave us the Torah at Mount Sinai? We cannot offer as proof that it is written in the Torah, because how do we know the Torah is true? We only know the Torah is true because we received it from God at Mount Sinai. This becomes a circle. So, what is the basis for this belief?
There’s a long-standing controversy among Jewish thinkers regarding the proper basis for adherence to Judaism. Should our beliefs rest on a rational philosophical foundation or should they be accepted, at least by the common people, on simple faith? Should the approach be mechkar, philosophical investigation, or emunah peshutah, simple faith?
So, how are we to understand the concept of simple faith? What does it mean, and why should we rely on it? There has to be a rational reason to have simple faith. Even if we rely on tradition, how do we know the tradition is delivering truth?
I want to offer a hybrid approach, rational arguments that embrace and explain the concept of emunah peshutah, simple faith. Let us begin with a question. Two miraculous events combined to form the Jewish people. The Exodus from slavery in Egypt and the Giving of the Torah at Mount Sinai. Which of these two is more crucial to the identity of the Jewish people? … See more at Rabbireinman.com.
WATCH: