Shabbos 21b - Gentile Wisdom To Explain Torah

לזכות שמואל אלכסנדר בן נעכא גיטל ואברהם מרדכי בן נעכא גיטל שיאירו לכל יושבי תבל בתורתם ובצדקותם

The gemara says that we may use inferior wicks and oils on Chanuka because if they extinguish we need not rekindle them [so we are not worried about possible negligence that would occur if he doesn't rekindle them] and we are not allowed to use their light [so on Shabbos we are not worried that a person might adjust the wick and candle to increase his benefit from the light]. In the gemara's shprach - כבתה אינו זקוק לה ואסור להשתמש לאורה.

This has not only halachic significance but is of philosophical import as well. Over the centuries the Jews have often borrowed ideas from the goyim to help explain Torah concepts. These were not permanent, immutable explanations but a temporary means of making Torah more palatable to that particular generation. An example of this would be the Rambam's use of Aristotelian philosophy in his Moreh Nevuchim. Or read Rav Soloveitchik's Halachic Mind where he makes extensive use of secular philosophy.

The gemara therefore teaches כבתה אינו זקוק לה -  if one uses inferior lights, referring to Gentile wisdom, if they extinguish, if people no longer use those ideas, they need not be rekindled. We need not use Aristotle to help us along if nobody is interested in him anymore. Also, אסור להשתמש לאורה we are not allowed to use their light, which means that although the abstract ideas can be helpful, practically speaking one must not use their dubious light as a guide for practical behavior. For day to day decisions we have Torah.

We don't need help from guys on the other team:).

ראה בעין איה על אתר