<br><font size=2 face="sans-serif">a leitz blogger makes the folowing
point-----</font>
<br>
<br><font size=2 face="sans-serif">what is the fundamental principle of
faith that defines Orthodoxy?</font>
<br>
<br><font size=2 face="sans-serif">Clearly, most people would say TMS -
Torah Min Hashamayim. Yet that is very vague and insufficient. Christians
also believe in TMS, and so do Kairites. The real fundamental of Orthodoxy
is in fact that Torah Shebal Peh AS INTERPRETED BY CHAZAL, is ultimately
Min Hashamayim (even if not from Sinai). </font>
<br>
<br><font size=2 face="sans-serif">It's not for nothing that we are called
followers of Rabbinic Judaism. And it's also not for nothing that in the
recent Science and Torah fight, the Chareidim and Gedolim were most concerned
about the perceived (or perhaps real) attacks on Chazal's infallibility
and authority.</font>
<br>
<br><font size=2 face="sans-serif">As has been pointed out numerous times,
the Chareidim don't care about interpreting the Torah literally. They probably
don't even care about an ancient earth or evolution. What they really care
about is Chazal, because they recognize that our entire religion (or at
least our version of it) is completely and utterly based on Chazal's interpretation
of Torah SheBaal Peh.<br>
<br>
</font><font size=1 face="Arial">---- the premise seems to be true.
so here's the takeoff on the question he asks: why does the
RMBM not include unassailing emunas chachamim [ ie total submission
to their daas tora] as one of the ikkarim of the faith?</font>