The authority of earlier generations, Part 2 of 2

Hi,

"In truth, the generation following the mishnah saw a shrinking of the hearts [=minds] compared to those of the authors of mishnah, and they knew with certainty that the truth would always be with those earlier authorities.

"Since they knew that in reality they would never grasp a truth which the tannaim [sages of the mishnah] had not grasped, they were not permitted to dispute. They only listened to all that their predecessors, the tannaim, had said.... This was not a kindness that they did for their predecessors; rather, truth mandated it."

(Rabbi Avraham Yeshayah Karelitz, Chazon Ish, Kovetz Inyanim 194-195)

Have a great day,
Mordechai

Another approach to outreach

Hi,

"At a time of [Divine] invisibility, when faith has been cut off from the poor of the nation, punishment does not mend the gap, but only increases it; it appears like a deed of destruction and coercion, Gd-forbid. Since our entire goal is to repair, the law [of punishment] does not apply when it does not repair. We are obligated to bring them back with ropes of love, to bring them to the radiant light to the extent we can."

(R' Avraham Yeshayah Karelitz, Chazon Ish Yoreh Deah 2:16)

Have a great day,
Mordechai