Q&A: Reconciling Customs
Reconciling Customs
Question
The medieval authorities (Rishonim) and halakhic decisors make an effort to reconcile customs that do not fit the plain meaning of the Talmudic passages. What made them do this? Did they think it was reasonable that the people probably had some sensible rationale that fit the passage, or did they see it as a case of pressing circumstances and try to find some basis to justify the custom?
Answer
I think there were some who believed that “if they are not prophets, they are the sons of prophets,” and therefore there is probably some kind of logic underlying the custom. Others did this because they understood that it would be hard to change a public custom (people are stubborn about customs), or that doing so would be harmful (because it would undermine commitment to Jewish law in general). But if it contradicts the Talmudic passages, then “there is no counsel and no wisdom,” and they would have to protest. So they preferred to find an interpretation, even a strained one, that would reconcile the custom with the passages.
Discussion on Answer
Yes.
Does the Rabbi think there is room for the latter approach in our times?