In one part you condemn "the substitution of another political vision [that] constitutes an act not just of deviancy, but fundamental heresy"
In the last part, you propose "to fill in the gaps with our understanding of how a political system can work. This understanding can only come from history and political theory."
Do these not contradict? Can we go to non-Jewish sources to determine what a Jewish state should be governed like?
Well, they certainly *could* contradict, if done badly, but my argument is that there is no
alternative, since the attempt to have a political vision drawn exclusively from Torah sources will result either in a dreamlike vision which gives nothing to act on, or the subconscious and incompetent importation of goyish ideas into the vision, both of which we can find plenty contemporary examples of.
What we are looking for - and perhaps I should have been more explicit about this - are ideas that are authoritative because of their correspondence to reality and coherence, rather than any other non-Jewish standard of authority. Of course, that's easier said than done.
Is משכיל בינה someone different from Baruch HaSofer? In any case, this is brilliant and I'm beyond excited to have found you.
That's very kind. We are indeed different people.
Excellent article.
In one part you condemn "the substitution of another political vision [that] constitutes an act not just of deviancy, but fundamental heresy"
In the last part, you propose "to fill in the gaps with our understanding of how a political system can work. This understanding can only come from history and political theory."
Do these not contradict? Can we go to non-Jewish sources to determine what a Jewish state should be governed like?
Well, they certainly *could* contradict, if done badly, but my argument is that there is no
alternative, since the attempt to have a political vision drawn exclusively from Torah sources will result either in a dreamlike vision which gives nothing to act on, or the subconscious and incompetent importation of goyish ideas into the vision, both of which we can find plenty contemporary examples of.
What we are looking for - and perhaps I should have been more explicit about this - are ideas that are authoritative because of their correspondence to reality and coherence, rather than any other non-Jewish standard of authority. Of course, that's easier said than done.
Hi - love the article eagerly awaiting additional sections & miss your architectural posts on Facebook glad you are well - hopefully - cheers
Thanks. I'm moving at present, but hopefully should be able to get the first installment out a week from now, then weekly, more or less.
May the move be a blessing