Originally published 3/18/10, 11:30 am.
A Rabbinical colleague has lamented:
"I often decry the "chumra-ization" of kashruth rules,"
Under the influence of several friends I began studying Aruch Hashulchan (AhS)regularly
The AhS articulates something that I had already intuited a long time ago - that two areas have a good deal of Humra-ization. Namely, they are the Issues of Meat and Dairy and Hametz on Passover.
There is a long-standing TRADITION of many humrot in these areas
Why? Apparently this is simple psychology
Hametz is permitted year 'round.
Meat and Dairy are each permitted when distinct and separate from each other
Thus, these over-the-top humrot address a unique psychological need and have a long historical basis.
Unfortunately, humra-ization across the board has taken root since about 1970 or so. It is, as I see it, itself a reaction to the Kashruth abuses of the 1920-1960 era.
So now we are reacting to that reaction! Anyone heard of Hegel?
As Qohelet says: There is a time for Humra and a time for leniency.
KT,
RRW
2 comments:
I have heard nida put on the list of areas of humra-ization for the same psychological reason: you're dealing with an area that is often permitted, and therefore must be more careful.
Many Years ago I once offered on Mail Jewish that the Humra to wait 12-14 days was so as to engineer the Mikvah night to co-incide with ovulation.
Plus, pregnancy avoids many/most of the Niddah restrictions. The common denominator seems to promote "p'ru urvu" by encouraging fertility and large families
While this approach is admittedly a bit speculative, some of use have considered this one of those Halachic "Hidden Agenda" that come up now again, especially in the matter of intimacy.
RRW
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