Q&A: Go and See What People Commonly Do
Originally published:
This is an English translation (via GPT-5.4). Read the original Hebrew version.
Go and See What People Commonly Do
Question
When do people say this? Is it when the law isn’t clearly decided? Or just whenever people want to permit something? And who exactly are “the people” here—specifically Torah scholars, or also ordinary unlearned people, etc.?
Answer
When you don’t have a position of your own, you follow the flock. In principle, Torah scholars are the ones who determine things, but there is also value to a custom that has become widespread, so long as it isn’t clearly nonsense.
Discussion on Answer
No, I’m not sure. That’s why custom carries weight, especially when it is the custom of Torah scholars and not just of the masses.
See here https://mikyab.net/%D7%A9%D7%95%D7%AA/%D7%A9%D7%9E%D7%99%D7%A2%D7%AA-%D7%9E%D7%95%D7%96%D7%99%D7%A7%D7%94-%D7%91%D7%96%D7%94%D7%96
Apparently the Rabbi understands that according to the law it is forbidden, so why did you say “go and see,” etc.?