Q&A: Adding to the Torah
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Adding to the Torah
Question
Tosafot in Rosh Hashanah (16b) ask how the Sages could institute blowing the shofar another time while seated, since that would seem to involve adding to the Torah.
But I didn’t understand the question. The Sages can create and enact new laws—these are rabbinic laws. I don’t understand the question at all. Would you say there is a prohibition of adding to the Torah with Hanukkah or Purim, or with other rabbinic enactments?
Answer
Indeed, the same question applies to Hanukkah and Purim. See there also in the Rashba and in the notes on him (he disagrees with Tosafot). In Maimonides, Laws of Rebels, he requires that they make clear that these are rabbinic laws; then there is no prohibition of adding to the Torah in such enactments.