[Avodah] [Areivim] 13 Ikkarim

[Moshe Yehuda Gluck]

R' Dov Weinstock:
With regard to the YCT discussion, several people mentioned that denial of
one of the 13 Ikkarim is evidence of non-orthodoxy. Just curious - have
those people read Marc Shapiro's book (can't recall the title)? He
demonstrates that every last one of the 13 Ikkarim has always been a matter
of dispute. He draws on Gemara, gaonim, rishonim and achronim. I found it
quite convincing, and so I question the idea of the 13 Ikkarim as a
yardstick for orthodoxy.



[Bounced to Avodah at moderator's request - MYG.]
I think that the 13 Ikkarim are a yardstick for Orthodoxy, as Shabbos,
Kashrus and Tahars haMishpacha are a yardstick for "Frum." It is not easy to
call someone who speaks Lashon Hara "Not Frum", yet we have no problem
calling someone who doesn't keep Shabbos "Not Frum." (Story with R' Shimon
Schwab notwithstanding.) Similarly, if a movement believes in egalitarianism
or social justice it can still be called Orthodox - but if it doesn't
believe in one of the 13 Ikkarim, it is not.

KT,
MYG