Our Gemara on Amud Aleph uses an interesting idiom to refer to a Torah sage. He was called a “Moshe”, as a term of endearment. The obvious meaning is that every sage is like his own Moses. This idea is taken to the fullest extent in mystical writings.

The Benei Yissachar ( בני יששכר תמוז-אב ג-יב ) says that when each Jewish person contemplates Torah, he becomes a spark of Moshe Rabbenu’s neshama. Even more dramatically, the Maharal (      דרך חיים אבות ו:ו ) explains this as the true reason why it is important to say over Torah in the name of whom you heard it. Since each person has their own unique share in Torah, based on their spiritual potentialities, the Torah is theirs alone. The person is truly a Moshe, a giver of Torah. (My son Nesanel showed me this Maharal.)

My friends, statements such as these are not fluff, but rather speak to a deep truth about Torah. Torah is open source and belongs to everyone. Now, of course Torah requires due process and careful mentoring so that you don’t just make up stuff. Nevertheless each Jew has the ability to create new Torah. This is especially true when not related to a halakhic decision and rather is interpretive. (See for example Klaley HaTalmud Le-Rav Shmuel HaNagid (993-1056 foundin the back of Vilna Shas Berachos), “Teyuvta”. He states the Gemara does not refute or pasken on matters that are non-halakhic.)

Translations Courtesy of Sefaria, except when, sometimes, I disagree with the translation

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