Q&A: The Authority of Customs
The Authority of Customs
Question
Hello, where would you recommend I look into the authority of customs? On the one hand, a foolish custom, and on the other hand, a custom that uproots Jewish law. When do we say this and when do we say that, and what are all the rules in this area?
Answer
I’m not familiar with a source that brings all the material together. It seems to me that Shatzipinsky’s book on enactments also deals with customs. There is also Sperber’s book, Minhagei Yisrael, but I’m not familiar with it.
Discussion on Answer
Also, in Rabbi Toledano’s book Devar Shalom Ve’emet (a polemical work against Rabbi Ovadia’s approach of halakhic uniformity), there are several important articles on this topic in volumes 1 and 2, and it’s worth taking a look if it touches on what you’re looking for.
Sperber’s book is mainly a historical analysis of the sources of various customs.
Sperber, volumes 1–2, does indeed discuss customs in general. There is also an important introduction by Prof. Y. M. Ta-Shma to his book Ancient Ashkenazic Custom.
The book Tal Amarti—on customs of prohibition and permission, by Rabbi Tal Doar—deals with all the halakhic aspects of customs, such as abolishing customs, an erroneous custom, “do not form separate factions,” and more. See there. It can also be found in Otzar HaChochma.