Q&A: A Proper Method of Reaching a Halakhic Decision
A Proper Method of Reaching a Halakhic Decision
Question
Hello Rabbi,
In the past, you wrote that if a person is not competent in these matters, it is preferable for him to go to a rabbi when he has a question of Jewish law. My question is about someone who is not really competent, but does “speak the language” and knows how to read the sources. If that person studied the topic and reached a conclusion, and that conclusion is not novel but is supported by the view of recognized halakhic decisors (later authorities), may he act that way in practice for himself?
After all, at the end of the day one has to act in practice in accordance with one of the opinions, and if that opinion was ruled by serious Torah scholars, it is reasonable to assume it is not unfounded. Granted, it is not certain, but even if he asks a rabbi, it will still remain uncertain. Is this approach not preferable to relying on the laws of doubt, which are also not always straightforward?
Answer
I tend to agree. In a place where there are differing opinions, and you have whom to rely on, you may conduct yourself in accordance with your own understanding even without being fully competent in the matter.
Discussion on Answer
It is hard to lay down hard-and-fast rules here. In a case where there is a very clear ruling and one esoteric opinion, I think only someone truly competent may rely on it. But if he is truly competent, then he does not need to rely on it, because if that is his own view he can follow his own opinion.
And what about relying on the words of medieval authorities? Suppose there is the view of a single medieval authority—can one rely on that as well?