Rav Yonasan Eibeschitz was approached by someone with a challenging question. We learn in Parshas Mishpatim that we are supposed to follow the majority opinion in deciding the outcome of a court case. If so, why do we continue to observe Torah and mitzvos? Most of the world doesn't follow Torah and mitzvos, why should we? Rav Yonasan Eibeschitz responded that the question assumed a misunderstanding of the principle of following the majority. There are many times when we reach a halachic conclusion based on following a majority. One famous application is a case where it is unclear if a piece of meat came from a kosher or a non-kosher store. Following certain halachic parameters, the meat is permissible if the majority of the possible stores that it came from are kosher. We are able to follow the majority because we have a doubt. However, if we know for sure that the meat came from a non-kosher store, then it would be absurd to permit it based on the majority of kosher stores. Similarly, we have absolutely no doubt as to the truth of the Torah. The concept of following the majority opinion is only relevant for one who does not personally know the truth. We are absolutely certain about the truth of Hashem's Torah and therefore, even if we are in the minority, we remain confident in our knowledge of the truth.
Rav Elchanan Wasserman commented on this sharp response of Rav Yonasan Eibeschitz that although it is certainly correct, one can suggest another approach for why we shouldn't be swayed by the majority opinion of the world around us. We are taught in Parshas Mishpatim that one who receives a bribe is disqualified to serve as a judge; once one receives a bribe, his opinion can never be trusted. Similarly, in matters of belief, one who's judgement has been clouded can no longer be trusted to arrive at truthful conclusions. The bribery in this area that disqualifies one's opinion is the indulgence in this world, and the pursuit of honor and materialistic wealth. Thus, argued Rav Elchanan Wasserman, the only ones who can be trusted to express an "opinion" about the truth of Torah are those whose vision has not been tainted. The unanimous view amongst such untainted people is the obvious conclusion, i.e. that Hashem and His Torah are true.
Both Rav Yonasan Eibeschitz and Rav Elchanan Wasserman's answers to the challenge of why we don't follow the majority of the world in its philosophy and values are reaffirmed twice daily in Shema. In the third parsha of Shema, we are commanded not to be led astray by our hearts or our eyes. Chazal comment that following our heart refers to matters of faith, and following our eyes refers to matters of physical indulgence. The challenge of our hearts is the challenge of uncertainty.
We are warned not to succumb to doubts in our faith in Hashem and His Torah. Notwithstanding the fact that world around us doesn't believe in these truths, we wholeheartedly affirm that they are in fact true and that the basic tenants of the Torah are correct beyond the shadow of a doubt. Since we are not in doubt, the concept of following the majority is not relevant and there is no reason to be swayed by those around us who do not believe in these truths.
We are also commanded to not be influenced by the temptations of this world. To remain true believers in the Torah we have to make sure our vision is not clouded by the "bribery" of indulgence. It is through our adherence to the message of Rav Elchanan Wasserman that we can remain certain of the truth of Torah and thereby not follow the majority of the rest of the world.
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