13) How would you answer those who critique your position on studying Jewish thought by saying that only halakhic authorities should decide such issues?
Rav Kook identified a significant problem: There are individuals who possess great halakhic knowledge but lack a deep understanding of Jewish thought. As a result, these individuals tend to adopt a “stringent” stance on matters of Jewish belief. They assume that everything they believe is a principle of the Torah, and if anyone expresses a differing opinion, they regard that person as a heretic. Therefore, even if one argues that halakhic authorities should be the ones to decide such matters, it is crucial that they also be well-versed in Jewish thought—a combination that has historically been quite rare.
In general, however, I do not accept the premise that halakhic authorities can "poskin" on matters of Jewish thought the way they decide questions of kashrut or Shabbat. I also do not believe that a view "accepted" years ago can now be ruled out of bounds. While some more recent Orthodox authorities adopt this position, Maimonides rejected such a conception, and I believe it lacks logical sense. I discuss this issue in my article, "Is There a ‘Pesak’ for Jewish Thought?" available here.
https://kavvanah.blog/2025/06/19/marc-shapiro-interview-renewing-the-old-sanctifying-the-new/
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