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How Halachically valid are recently discovered manuscripts? For example, if one found the original manuscript of the Rambam and he rules differently than the currently known text, do modern Poskim rule like his manuscript version or like his original.

What about if someone found a Rishon that was not known to exist (like the Meiri)? Do his Piskei Dinim carry weight in modern Psak?

What about "really old" manuscripts, like if old Kisvei Yad of the Mishna which differ from ours?

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  • I was told that the popular idea that the meiri was lost and then found is incorrect, rather it just wasn't printed as much but it always was around. No real source though
    – Double AA
    Mar 2, 2012 at 19:22
  • @DoubleAA There's also the Tosfos HaRosh which was only recently discovered (even his peirush on Shabbos was only discovered in the 1700s). Mar 2, 2012 at 19:24
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    +1 but, IINM, the Meiri was known to exist, just nobody had seen a copy of his work. But I can stand to be corrected.
    – Seth J
    Mar 2, 2012 at 19:46
  • Commonness seems hard to quantify. How would one go about answering this?
    – mevaqesh
    Oct 26, 2016 at 16:40

1 Answer 1

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The role of manuscripts depends on the person doing the psak. There is no hard and fast rule on the subject.

Manuscripts and their role in psak, can be the same as "new" scientific discoveries and thier role in psak. For example, the recent controversy over the anisakis worms in fish.

In general, there are four approaches to old manuscripts.

  1. It's a forgery: Either the manuscript is not a real manuscript, the manuscript is the old opinions of the Rabbi and were discarded, or the manuscript is a mistaken copy, and not real. The copy we currently have, and have been using for generations, is the authentic and correct version.

  2. Wait and see: For us, today, the manuscript has no halachic value. Perhaps it will have halachic value in the future, or large communities and Torah observant people will find value in it, but it is not for us to say.

  3. Baruch Hashem!: Thank Gd we have had the truth revealed to us, and blessed is the generation that merited such a reward. This approach says that we must change our practices right away, and look through all the halachic give and take, using the new information. Perhaps we can solve some machlochet between the Sages, or we can better understand how the halacha came about. Regardless, we must see this as a "bat kol" and act accordingly.

  4. Lo B'shamayim hee: Same as "Baruch Hashem", except it's argued "lo B'Shaymim hee", the Torah is not in heaven, and halacha does not change based on this new "bat kol".

If one were to split the difference of the many different ways of looking at the manuscripts, you mostly end up with no change in practice, but perhaps changes in the study and the yeshivot. Which may or may not result in a change in practice over time.

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    Avi, were these approaches voiced by poskim? What are these opinions based on? or is there no basis and that's why there are varying opinions?
    – YDK
    Mar 4, 2012 at 4:38
  • @YDK I have seen all opinions voiced by poskim for their communities. 1. Is based on a posek just not believing that the text is possible. Generally Charedi. 2. Is based on poseks who feel you can't upturn halacha on purpose. If it happens it happens, but you can't force it. 3. Is more common amongst Dati Leumi perspective of Gd and history, or "Rambamniks" 4. Is more common amongst the Chardal who agree with point 3, but can't see halacha changing.
    – avi
    Mar 4, 2012 at 6:43
  • @avi Can you cite examples of 2 & 4 where you've "seen... voiced by poskim"? (Re. 1, maintaining that a given manuscript is an "old opinion" and/or "[it's] a mistaken copy" -or like some opine that not every unknown predecessor was a bonafide authority and whose writings should suddenly be authoritative- isn't the same as claiming it's a forgery.)
    – Oliver
    Aug 1, 2018 at 2:59
  • @Oliver 4 is the approach of R. Aviner and 2 is the approach of Rav Soloveitchik or some of his students.
    – avi
    Aug 1, 2018 at 7:34
  • @avi Thank you. Would you kindly show where one can find these examples in writing?
    – Oliver
    Aug 1, 2018 at 13:13

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