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How did rabbinic authority evolve from Tannaim with actual Semikhah to later rabbis without it? The shiur traces the historical categories showing that authority shifted from divine ordination to communal acceptance. A detailed analysis of the kitniyot prohibition demonstrates this principle, revealing it likely originated with Tosafists rather than Gaonim as commonly believed.
This shiur provides a comprehensive overview of the evolution of rabbinic authority and categories throughout Jewish history. Rabbi Zweig begins by distinguishing between modern rabbis, who have a title indicating knowledge, and ancient rabbis who possessed Semikhah (ordination) in an unbroken chain from Moshe Rabbeinu to Yehoshua. This Semikhah granted them the authority to create binding halachic rulings using the principles of Torah (תורה) interpretation (Yud Gimel Midot), which we lack today until Eliyahu HaNavi returns. The shiur explores the term Talmid Chacham, literally meaning 'wise student,' which describes someone who knows how to learn effectively and continuously seeks to understand more. This is distinguished from the historical categories of rabbis: Tannaim, Amoraim, Rabbanan Savorai, Gaonim, Rishonim, and Acharonim.
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