Jun 192012
The Chief Rabbi delivered the keynote address at an event by the London School of Jewish Studies in partnership with Ner Yisrael, the United Synagogue and the British Friends of Rabbi Steinsaltz to mark the UK launch of the new Koren Talmud Bavli with commentary by Rabbi Adin Steinsaltz. The Chief Rabbi spoke on “The Revolutionary Power and Importance of Talmud Study”. (Video courtesy of Jewish Online Magazine)
Beautiful and brilliant commentary on the democratization of Judaism, starting from when it was protected and reserved in the hands of the kohanim to when it became nachlas haklal. that every Jew is able to study Torah etc.
But there is still a difference. for there are some who are great Talmudic scholars and were blessed with the capacity to become great scholars, whereas there are some people who are born simple and as much as they will try will not become scholars…?
May I add, that the Baal Shem Tov took the democratization of Judaism a step further, by showing that Torah study is not the only way to serve and connect to G-d. fervent prayer, genuine acts of kindness and charity, serving G-d with joy, simple faith and many other parts of Avodas Hashem are as valid, (or even more valid, in some ways) of serving Hashem. (not to diminish Torah study, but to elevate other areas to that lofty level).
There is no one who doesn’t have the G-d given ability to excel in at least one area of divine service (if they try). hence the equality that is achieved in the Baal Shem Tov’s system is unparalleled.
Hi Rabbi,
You mention that a person not born into the kehuna is unable to become a Cohen. How then was it possible for Pinchas, who found favor in the eyes of Hashem was able to become a Cohen?