Tell me more ×
Mi Yodeya is a question and answer site for those who base their lives on Jewish law and tradition and anyone interested in learning more. It's 100% free, no registration required.
up vote 2 down vote favorite

There is a machlokes Rishonim whether emunah in Hashem is a mitzvah or not. The Rambam and Ramban sayig that it is. The Bahag (a Gaon), R' Kreskas, Tashbetz and others saying that it's not or that it can't be. What nafkah minah comes out of this machlokes?

share|improve this question
Gabi: If you would put in the source location - perhaps it would be easier to get a response. – Gershon Gold Jan 9 at 19:57

3 Answers

up vote 2 down vote

Maybe a nafka mina can be whether emuna is axiomatic-and you will have to come to it if you're honest, or its a mitzvah and therefore maybe in some way harder to achieve?

share|improve this answer
up vote 1 down vote

This is really a more general question about minyan hamitzvos--what is the nafka minah ever? It is well-known that the Gra objected to the enterprise of minyan hamitzvos on similar grounds. Various acharonim propose various explanations (see: hakdamah of Kiryas Sefer of the Mabit, hakdamah of R. Yerucham Perlow to Sefer Hamitzvos le-Rasag) but I don't think they would help here. In the end of the day, it might just be to know what the Taryag mitzvos are.

share|improve this answer
up vote 2 down vote

One practical difference is whether there is another mitzvah to take its place in order to have 613. According the the opinion that it is not a mitzvah, there must be another mitzvah that is Biblical.

share|improve this answer
Perhaps the other mitzva was still Biblical but counted together with something else? You have no proof that there has to be mitzva that must now be Biblical. – Double AA♦ Jan 21 at 21:26
2  
After "what if I mekadesh a woman all tenai that pshat X is right" and "must I klop an all cheit", i think this is now the third most unimpressive possible Nafka Mina. – Double AA♦ Jan 21 at 21:29
@DoubleAA: you're right. The basis of the machloket is whether one can command belief, since in order to accept the commandment, you must already believe. But that's not a nafka mina as much as a reason for the disagreement – Menachem Jan 22 at 15:43
So what is a nafkah mina? Whether or not believing is a Biblical requirement doesn't show if anything else is or isn't. – Double AA♦ Jan 22 at 17:04

Your Answer

 
discard

By posting your answer, you agree to the privacy policy and terms of service.

Not the answer you're looking for? Browse other questions tagged or ask your own question.