Judaism & The Rabbis

[Timothy Leary]

In another thread (http://www.theologyweb.com/forum/showthread.php?p=613769#post613769), moshepat asked me:
In the meantime, do you think it is possible that HaShem sees the self-assignation by the rabbis of such power a Hillul HaShem? Could this be the origin of our suffering?
While I do condemn the additions (ex: tefillin (http://1.ancient-paths.net/modules.php?op=modload&name=Sections&file=index&req=viewarticle&artid=50&page=1)) and subtractions (ex: tzitzit (http://1.ancient-paths.net/modules.php?op=modload&name=Sections&file=index&req=viewarticle&artid=40&page=1) w/o blue) to the Tora, there is a much bigger factor to consider - the non-observance of the Tora in general. Until our people, as a whole, commit themselves to Tora observance, I believe that the Rabbis, though in error, do more good than harm.

[moshepat]

This debate may be dangerous, in a sense, to have in the presence of non-Jews, but on the other hand, it may be precisely what is required. At one time the Karaite view was held by perhaps a majority of Bnei Israel. There are two aspects to my question:

1) What evidence do we have in the Tanakh for HaShem's reaction to the misinterpretation of His Law, especially when it is designed (or appears so) to produce a consolidation of power for the individual/s involved? A quick review would support the idea that such 'self-assignations' are dealt with most harshly, as in the revolt of Korach.

2) Historically, we have to face the reality of what has occurred to our people. In the sense that HaShem has permitted such dramatically terrible events to befall us, one can reasonably ask: Is HaShem trying to get our attention? If, by following the demands of the rabbis, we are led to violate HaShem's law, then we are in roughly the same position as ancient Israel (as opposed to Judah) following their kings' religious decisions and being therefore punished with destruction by Assyria. And indeed the same occurred to Judah in 586 BCE. Even in the Talmud there is recorded the offerring to be given for an erroneous decision by the Sanhedrin or the Kohen Gadol (will ref if you wish). Given the history since the Romans, we must ask ourselves if this does not reflect HaShem's disapproval of us, and adjust ourselves accordingly.

At the risk of introducing a non-religious quote, I would refer to Benj Franklin's statement that "to err is human, to forgive divine, to persist devilish". It is the last that is pertinent here. If we are to be an ensign to the nations, what could be worse than the wrong, indeed, the polar opposite signal or example?