ר"ע תיתד תונויצל ינויערה גוחה ,םולשו זוע
It is recounted in the Talmud (Yoma 36b) regarding one who sided with Rabbi Meir, despite the fact that the majority of Rabbis disagreed with Rabbi Meir. This is support for that which I wrote in Malki Bakodesh, in response to Question 2, that the principle of “majority rules” applies only when one has not studied the matter thoroughly, and must rule according to the opinions of others that he has heard. In such a case, the majority in fact is the determining factor. But one who has delved into the reasoning behind the opinions may conclude that an individual opinion is correct, even against the majority. The above incident clearly supports this, for the Talmud had at first stated that the majority rules, and then asked, “But this is obvious - why does it need to be taught?” The Talmud answered, “One might have thought that the majority does not rule if there is a Torah verse that appears to support the individual’s opinion; therefore it must be emphasized that the majority always rules.” However, immediately afterwards, the above incident is cited, in which an individual opinion is given preference - this appears to be a contradiction! We must say, therefore, that the Halakhic principle for one who must rule according to Halakhic guidelines is that the majority rules, even when an opposing individual opinion appears to be logical; but when the decisor himself feels strongly that the individual is correct, he is permitted to rule accordingly, for his heart and mind are “forcing” him, and a person need not ignore his own logic, for his eyes are in front....
From a letter to Rabbi Baruch Epstein, 17 Sivan 5624 (1924)Malki Bakodesh VI, p. 50-51
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