Changes in Orthodoxy
Question
Do you have any ideas why there have been so many changes in my lifetime (I am 56). Torah Judaism is supposed to be fairly constant, and we claim that it is the Reform and Conservatives who change the law. I have to admit that I feel the same way about many of the Orthodox. For example, 20 years ago, everyone in my town bought fish from the local Pathmark. Even the Rav did so, and he was a much bgger talmid chacham then the new rabbi we have. Now we are told we can only buy from the kosher fish store. Do you know why these changes have occurred? Also, a local yeshiva bachur announced publicly that no one should eat a product that has kitniyot, even if it batel be-shishim. When I said to him that his comment striked me as a form of Reform Judaism, since he was rejecting what our sages have told us, he said that the sages were speaking for the masses who didn't know any better and for emergencies, and that there is nothing wrong with telling people to be more strict, and that the rabbis of the previous generation were dealing with a lot of less than committed people so they couldn't insist on absolue halakhah. I responded that even the Karaites were sometimes more strict than our rabbis, but they are still not part of the fold. With that, he told me that I had better watch it, because I was verging on apikursus. Am I incorrect?
Answer
Answered by Aaron AbadiYou are 100% right. The sin of Chava (Eve from Adam & Eve) was being too strict; saying that she can't touch the tree, when God only said don't eat from the tree. It's a new culture based on absolute ignorance. The less they know, the stricter they get. The Rambam says (in Shemona Prakim) that one who does not understand the problem with being too strict is certainly a fool (Sachal). It's evolved from being too strict to bordering on a new religion. The food laws have changed. The times of prayer are not important, as long as you have the apropriate clothing. Women shouldn't pray, but they should go to Tehillim groups. Instead of Yeshivot studying Jewish Law, they study "Talmudic Argument." Minhag (Customs) are more important than the strictest laws in the Torah. Batel Beshishim is not acceptable anymore, but carrying on Shabbat or make-up on Shabbat is OK. Bugs & Gevinat Akum is OK, but don't eat Kitnoyot even if Batel. Be as strict as you can, especially if that will insult everyone around you; don't eat in their homes because you are so holy. I can go on for hours. But as I said, it's based on pure ignorance. Anyone learning Gemora (talmud) past the first 3 or 4 pages, will know that this concept is not Judiasm. The Rambam says this and more in Hilchot Deot Perek #3 Halachah #1. Read it ten times! It is one of the foundations of our religion. It diffrentiates the religious Jew from the robot. AA