This document discusses the authority of rabbis and oral law in Judaism. It notes that Deuteronomy 17:8-11 establishes the necessity of following rabbinic rulings. It also explains that there are different forms of oral law including takkanot, gezeirot, minhagim, and the 13 principles of interpretation. While some questioned if oral law could be added to the written Torah, Rambam and Raavad affirmed the authority of rabbinic rulings. The document also discusses why minhagim should be followed and differentiates between derabanan and deoraita laws in cases of uncertainty.

1. A Recap…

2. Who Says Rabbis Have
Authority?
 The “Grundnorm”
 Devarim 17:8-11

3. Necessity of Oral Law
 Tefillin
 Etrog
 Lo Tivashel Gidi
 Lo Tivaru Eish
 WHY FOLLOW IT?
 Story of the Convert. (TB Shabbat 31a)

4. Different Forms of Oral Law
 Takkana
 Gezeira
 Minhag
 13 middot
 “Kabbala” or tradition

5. I thought you can’t add to the
Torah!
 Rambam
 Raavad
613 + 1

6. Minhag: Why Follow?
 TB: Pesachim 66a – “Leave it up to the
People of Israel; if they are not prophets
they are the sons of prophets.”
 When unsure, look at what the people
are doing. (Berachot 45a)

7. Minhag Ha-Makom and Minhag
Shtut
 MINHAG HAMAKOM
 “When in Rome, do as the Romans do.”
 Midrash of Avraham and Moshe
 Obligates not only citizens, but also the
visitors
 MINHAG SHTUT
 Not Benching in Gentile’s House
 Holding a Chumash
 Fishing on Hol Hamoed

8. Differences Between
Derabanan and Deoraita
 Safek Deoraita Lichumra
 Shabbat/Shema
 Safek Derabanan Likula
 Brachot