Yes, HaLeiVi, thank you.
Sam, “subject to interpretation” doesn’t mean you’re entitled to interpret it whichever way makes you most comfortable. As I’ve said before (and PAA flattered me by putting it into the “Good CR Quotes” thread), the truth is the truth whether or not it’s sufficiently proven to you. The fact that something which you don’t believe in , if true, is integral to Yiddishkeit, doesn’t disprove it.
In the yibum thread, you mentioned that the kasha has been in your mind for two days (you also had a very clever jab at PAA 🙂 ).
Why? Why not just say that the Ri (ch’v) made a mistake? Of course, it’s because we have a very clear mesorah that Rishonim don’t make such mistakes. That mesorah is true whether or not we can find a source in Chazal. You’ll agree, I assume, that someone who thinks the words of a Rishon can be easily dismissed if he “disagrees”, is indeed missing something integral to Yiddishkeit. Even if it disturbs and offends him.
The same can be said about a similar concept (albeit weaker) applying to more contemporary gedolim; if someone underestimates their greatness, or to what it extends, they are certainly missing something (albeit less) integral to Yiddishkeit.
Can you please source that Rambam? (L’shitoscha, if you can’t provide a source, your wrong by default 🙂 .)