Kabbalah/Halacha

Asked by Marc · May 24, 2002 · Other

Question

Shalom: To what extent, if any, does Kabbalah figure into P'sak Halacha. I notice in some siddurim, for example Artscroll, that it is written that a certain practices are based on the ARI or some other Kabbalistic source (ex. saying mizmor shir before Baruch Sh'amar; holding the tzitzis for Baruch Sh'amar; letting go of the tzitzis at the word "le'ad" after Krias Shma). Are we bound by Kabbalistic reasoning when deciding questions of halachik practice?

Answer

Answered by Aaron Abadi

Our Shulchan Aruch has countless items that are sourced in Kaballah. Stick to the ones listed there and the few accepted Minhagim that are not listed. Otherwise, our responsibility is to concentrate on basic Jewish Law that we all need to work on; especially increasing our Torah Study and following the rules properly, even when unpleasant. Aaron Abadi