Q&A: Ruling for Yourself and Not Being Subject to Authority?
Ruling for Yourself and Not Being Subject to Authority?
Question
Hello Rabbi Michi a0
In one of the lessons a0 on analytic Talmudic thinking in the first chapters, a0you argue that a person can issue a halakhic ruling for himself, contrary to the “mainstream” you study the passage and the conclusion is the Jewish law for you. a0
I’m totally on board with that, and it’s also true that the Tosafists disagreed with Rashi, but either he “allowed” them to or, alternatively, that is indeed also a possible approach. a0
But on the other hand, leading halakhic decisors actually put into practice the idea of not rushing to disagree with their rabbis: Maimonides vis- e0-vis the Rif, the Shulchan Arukh vis- e0-vis the Pillars of Instruction, Rabbi Elyashiv vis- e0-vis the Chafetz Chaim, Chabad rabbis vis- e0-vis the Shulchan Arukh HaRav, etc. There are many more.
I’m asking on the merits of the issue: isn’t it actually intrinsic to the essence of the Torah that on questions where there are arguments in both directions, you should indeed make for yourself a rule as to which rabbi you follow, and not quickly depart from his view? True, there will be many exceptions, but it does sound like there is some line being drawn through which Torah is transmitted. a0
Thank you a0
Shalom
Answer
You are asking whether people customarily do this. Clearly yes.
Are they obligated to? Clearly not. Is it proper? In my opinion, no. There is value in autonomy. See my article on autonomy in Jewish law.
Discussion on Answer
No. Even without me there are already lots of approaches and splits.
Next time, ask after you’ve read it.
Before I finish reading the article.. a0
I’m asking from a practical standpoint: if everyone does what they think is right, that will simply make shared day-to-day life harder. One says this is kosher, another says it’s non-kosher; one says this person is a mamzer, another says he’s kosher. a0
It increases the gaps instead of creating a more harmonious society.
Don’t you see greater merit in the pragmatism that outweighs the advantages of being more autonomous in Jewish law… ?