The ancient form of semikhah which included the "laying on of hands" to transmit Torah from teacher to student, in my understanding, was more than a ceremony marking the arrival of a certain level of "learning" of Torah, right? I mean, originally Torah was transmitted from Hashem to Moshe to Aharon, to the elders and so on down the line. Moshe Rabbeinu's "level" of Torah was very high (from at least the level of atzilut I am thinking), and his soul had direct face-to-face access to Hashem. So, this means that the Torah Moshe transmitted in some mystical fashion through the laying on of hands was a Torah of astonishing clarity, and necessarily one "above the level" of intellectual understanding - like a concentrated (and permeating), yet encompassing type of knowledge from which intellectual understanding is drawn out. Sort of. The terms I am using are inadequate, I realize.

Perhaps I am wrong, but from my study, it seems that the "level" of Torah (in terms of our level of perception/clarity) we commonly study today at the levels of yetzirah and beriyah. Consequently, smicha today (in terms of acknowledgment of a certain level of Torah education from a yeshivah or teacher and the ability to render halachic decisions) reflects these "levels" of understanding. While these levels are nonetheless high levels of Torah understanding, is it true that it is insufficient for a member of the sanhedrin (beit din hagadol)? In other words, a member of the sanhedrin (or the collective body of the sanhedrin at least) needs to be able to "draw down" understanding from the level of atzilut? I have read that we "lost" the "direct line of transmission" (from Moshe Rabbeinu) somewhere in history from which we may "draw down" understanding from the level of atzilut.

Therefore, we need another Moshe-type with a direct link to Torah at the level of atzilut to transmit that level of clarity down the line (to others who can communicate it) as in olden days (through the ritual of semikhah) to re-institute the sanhedrin in a manner consistent with its purpose?

Is this right?

Lori,
We went down this road a little before you joined. I believe the aspiring Sanhedrin got its smicha from Rav Elyashiv shlita although he didn't specifically endorse the Beit Din haGadol itself. I suspect most accept his smicha as being worthy, however, many do not feel that the individuals on the Sanhedrin are qualified. This creates a chicken and egg situation. The best in our generation are supposed to sit on the Sanhedrin. But if the best in our generation won't participate, what do we do? We get the second best...but then those who believe they are better complain that the ones on the court are not qualified....and the circus continues.
So it goes something like "I am qualified to be on the court but I don't want to be and you can't be on the court either because you are not qualified."

I suppose my question is more "what is the true nature of semikhah (smicha)" than about whether or not the sanhedrin is legitimate. There is more to it than merely going to yeshivah and learning Torah and receiving validation from a teacher that one is qualified to render halachic decisions. What is that "more"?

Lori,
Your question is what I was trying to answer. Ultimately, the Gedolim have to agree on a smicha that's acceptable. In this case Rav Elyashiv's smicha is accepted by practically all Gedolim. Yes, there is more to it than going to Yeshiva. There is recognition by the Gedolim. I may be wrong here, (Aryeh Shore..help!) but I think the idea of Daas Torah would apply.

quote:

idea of Daas Torah

How do you understand this "idea"?

B"H
Loriah,
I just wanted to catch your attention. You can now review the "Maharitz Files" on the link provided on the Post by this name. The problem has since been fixed!
Sincerely, David

Lori,
The concept is that the Gedolim have understanding beyond logical and intellectual argumentation. For this reason, they can judge what smicha and who is qualified in a manner that goes beyond intellectual qualifications.
This may not seem logical but they have such authority...I believe. I could be wrong on this one.

Moshe,
You aren't wrong.

Moshe,
You aren't wrong.