Settlements for customs
The Rishonim and the Poskim strive to reconcile customs that do not agree with the simplicity of the issues. Why did they see this as a good idea? Did they think it was likely that the people had a logical reason and reasoning for the issue, or did they see this as a time of urgency and to find a side to reconcile the custom?
I think there were those who thought that if they were not prophets, they were sons of prophets, and therefore there must be some logic underlying the custom. Others did so because they understood that it would be difficult to change the public custom (insistence on customs) or that it would be harmful (because it would undermine commitment to the halakha in general), but if this contradicts the issues, then there is no advice and no wisdom and they will have to protest. Therefore, they preferred to find an interpretation, even if it is narrow, that would reconcile the custom with the issues.
Does the rabbi think there is a place for the latter approach in our time?
yes.
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