Ben Levi: There is a tremendous middle ground. I think Slifkin believes that Chazal knew more than their contemporary scientists. However, he believes that Chazal relied on the scientists for things and therefore, the same way that those scientists were wrong, Chazal could have followed their error. Just like modern-day Poskim ask engineers and electricians before Paskening on things involving electricity, so too Chazal asked their contemporary experts how things worked before Paskening. I really don’t see why people call that Mehalach Kefirah.
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