In the Talmud when two opinions of the Rabbis disagree the Talmud says that essentially both are right –Â “Eilu V’Eilu Divrei Elokim Chaim.” How do we understand this in regard to historical facts (there are 100’s of them)? Do you say someone is right, and the other is false?
My experience has led me to believe that the discussions in the Talmud and Midrash which appear to deal with historical references are only using the historical characters or events as tools to illustrate moral or sometimes legal principles. (As an example, you might like to see Rabbi Dessler (Michtav M’Eliyahu vol. 4, page 115) who describes what’s really going on in the Rashi commentary to Genesis 1:11.
Therefore, such disputes between sages are not historical at all, but are really dealing with Torah principles.
I hope this helps.
With regards,
Rabbi Boruch Clinton