Sam2, gaw – I suppose this whole conversation about morality turns on what the definition of morality is.
Webster online defines it as: “beliefs about what is right behavior and what is wrong behavior.”
If Halacha is the word of God (the Torah) applied to our lives (which btw is how I define halachah — not as the “rules” but as the “application” — the translation of the word after all is “the path”), then saying that it is imperfect is saying c”v that God is imperfect.
Saying that we are imperfect and therefore the word of God doesn’t apply is absolute and utter kfira. The world is full of kofrim, true, but the objectively true words of God preempt other opinions.
GAW – do you recall the story in which the rabbis were arguing and one Rabbi tried to bring proofs from the wall, the river, and the heavenly voice, and the other rabbis responded “lo bashamayaim hi” and won? It is to that idea which I was referring. Because there can be an absolute definition as what the torah means as practically applied, that means that halachah is the absolute word of God. Applying that one step further means that when halachah requires or speaks to something, it preempts the field in terms of opinions on its morality.
To summarize: 1. God objectively defines morality; 2. God gave us his true Torah; 3. Halachah is the practical manifestation of the Torah; THEREFORE Halachah(when it speaks)=Morality.
And streekgeek: MORALITY IS OBJECTIVE. IT IS DEFINED BY GOD. At the very least, that is my understanding of orthodox jewish beliefs.