[Avodah] Justifying hatred

[Samuel Svarc]

>From: "Elazar M. Teitz" <remt at juno.com>
>Subject: Re: [Avodah] Justifying hatred
>
><<But one of the fundamental requirements [to be an apikores--EMT] is
>that HE KNOWS the Yesodot HaTorah.>>
>
><Everyone instinctively knows them. That is the clear halachic
>consensus throughout the ages. "Nebach an apikkoris blaibt an
>apikoris." A saying from R' Chaim Brisker.>
>
>     Assuming the 13 Ikkarim to be y'sodos haTorah, which of them --
>other than the first -- can be said to be instinctively known?

Basically all of them. There are classical machlokisim about some, but we
are referring, as do countless sifrei halacha, to the yesodos as a whole.
Like for example, the CC in Ahavas Chessed, Chelek 1, Perek 3, "...Kol shu
mamin b'shloshu asar ikrei hadas...".

>     As for R. Chaim's statement, it is circular reasoning to apply
>it to the curent thread.  Yes, nebach an apikores is an apikores; but
>what defines the apikores that he, nebach, is?

I fail to see the circular reasoning. An apikoris is defined as someone who
doesn't believe in certain things (see the above source for just one of the
hundreds of locations where an apikoris is so defined). R' Chaim is saying,
we are not concerned how you reached that state of disbelief, even if the
route would have us saying "Nebach" in pity, the fact that there is such a
state of disbelief defines the person as an apikoris. "Nebach an apikkoris
blaibt an apikoris."

So, to answer your question, as to what defines the apikoris that he,
nebach, is. Disbelief in Ikrei hadas.

KT,
MSS