We are commanded in Parshas Shoftim, “Do not sway from the words that
they (the Sanhedrin) tell you.” This passuk is the basis of all
mitzvos d’rabannan. The Gemarah in Shabbos states that every mitzvah
that the Sanhedrin enacts is as if Hashem Himself has commanded it, as
we say by the Chanukah lights, “Baruch Attah Hashem…that has
commanded us to light the Chanukah lights.” However, the Chanukah
lights were enacted by the Sanhedrin many many centuries after the
Torah was given! Nonetheless, since Hashem commands us to heed the
words of the Chachomim, all the decrees that the Chachomim make are as
if they came form Hashem Himself.

>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
Rabbi Aharon Dovid Singer
Director of Community Development
North Miami Beach Community Kollel