Q&A: Unanswered Questions
Unanswered Questions
Question
A few days ago, a question was asked in the responsa section under the title “Foundations of Faith”—I don’t remember who asked it. He claimed that in manuscript sources it says, “The custom of kapparot on the eve of Yom Kippur is a foolish custom.” This information is available to anyone who wants to look into it. He asked why the editors of all editions of the Shulchan Arukh, Mishnah Berurah, etc., do not restore that heading, even though they strive for the most accurate version. For some reason that question disappeared; it would be interesting to hear the Rabbi’s opinion on the matter.
Likewise, a question was asked by Ariel Winograd about conspiracy and silencing voices; it is still on the site but has not received an answer. The Rabbi’s view would be interesting in that area as well.
Thank you in advance.
Answer
That was a provocative question by Gurlin that I didn’t answer. I didn’t see any question there. It was a statement with a question mark at the end, as is his way.
I didn’t see the second question. I’ll look for unanswered questions.
Discussion on Answer
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Keyboard wisdom…
* I asked whether you know that this is indeed the wording in the manuscripts—namely, that the custom of kapparot is a foolish custom—or whether this is just a product of the questioner’s overheated imagination.
In the Shulchan Arukh, section 605, it explicitly says that the custom should be prevented because it follows the ways of the Amorites, even if the heading is not worded that way. So what practical difference does it make whether in earlier printings there was an explicit heading?
But as for your question, I checked, and in the Venice edition this is indeed the heading:
Okay, thanks.
Do you know whether that is in fact the wording in the manuscripts, at any rate?