Q&A: A Renewed Halakhic Ruling
A Renewed Halakhic Ruling
Question
If a person reaches a halakhic conclusion that it is permitted to use electricity on the Sabbath, then in your opinion, since that is what he thinks, is it permitted for him? I’m asking because I happened to meet someone like that, who explained to me at length why in his opinion there is no problem with electricity on the Sabbath, and that he is committed first and foremost to his own reason, etc.
Answer
You’re asking whether he is bound by the rulings of this or that halakhic decisor? Absolutely not. There is no decisor who has formal authority. True, custom does carry weight, and also on the halakhic level he should clarify and examine the arguments that are raised before he forms a position (assuming he is capable of doing so; otherwise it’s just pointless babbling).