In explaining how Moshe Rabbeinu was justified in smashing the Tablets, Rav Meir Simcha of Dvinsk, in his sefer Meshech Chochma, writes that holiness is not an inherent quality, but rather a matter of function. As soon as the luchos ceased to serve their function, they lost their holiness, and became mere slabs of stone. As such, Moshe was fully entitled to smash them before the Jewish people in order to demonstrate this lesson to them.
Using our previous example, then, is a rabbi who observes his congregation misusing the function of its sefer torah entitled to publicly destroy it?
If the rules on how to treat sifrei kedusha with respect are rabbinic in origin then the answer is clear. Moshe was the Rabanan at the time and could override or ignore his own restrictions. Thus would mean that today a pulpit rabbi would not have the same level of authority.
ReplyDeleteIf the rules are Biblical, then it could be a case of horah sha'ah that allowed Moshe a temporary reprieve from said restrictions. This would also result in a prohibition for the pulpit rabbi to publicly degrade the Torah.
You've explained very well how Moshe's action could have been Halachically permitted, but what lesson do we learn from Moshe's action with respect to our own behavior as we attempt to positively influence our community, and look to Moshe as our model?
ReplyDelete