Chumros vs Halacha, take two

Seraph ↓

Mon, May 21 2007, 3:15 am

Because the last thread spun off on a tangent and got locked, let me start a new thread.

You're told to keep the SA and all its halachos as best as possible. However, you're told not to keep excessive chumros.

To many people, what is a chumra to one is halacha to the other.

What do you call a chumra, and what do you call halacha? When do you call yourself being "machmir" on a certain issue, as opposed to "just keeping the halacha 100%"?

hadasa

Mon, May 21 2007, 3:36 am

It's not always easy to categorize. Even within Halachah there are situations of Lechatchilah, Bedieved and Bishaas Hadchak. There is also an issue of being Mehader in Mitzvos and going Lifnim Meshuras Hadin.

A girl once asked me if she is allowed to take the tramway on Shabbos if she's going with non-Jewish friends and they pay for her. I said, "If you're interested in keeping just the minimum of Halachah, then maybe it's not outright forbidden, but if you want to keep a bit more than the minimum, it's definitely not proper."
She asked me, "Why should I keep any more than the minimum? I understand that what's forbidden, is forbidden, but if it's not forbidden, then why can't I do what I want?"

The answer I gave her, (which at the time, I felt it was straight from Hashem, because I had never thought of this before and it just came to me that second) was this:

I have two types of friends. I have friends with whom I have a minimal relationship. We say hello when we see each other, we're not angry at each other, but nothing more than that.
I have other friends, with whom I want more than a minimal relationship. With these friends I will go out of my way to help them, to talk to them, to build on the relationship, because it's important to me. If they need help, I will do more than the minimum expected from me.

The question is: What kind of relationship do you want with G-d?

PinkandYellow

Mon, May 21 2007, 3:53 am

This is where its very important to have a rav. My rav tells me what is halacha and what is a kula and what is a chumra. I know that b'shaas hadchak I can be maikel on certain things, and there are certain inyanim, that because of their importance in yiddishkeit, we try to be machmir with certain nekudos. in general, its always best to ask your rav. however, its also important to know, as much as possible, why you do what you do, and esp. if you are maikel or machmir, to know why. remember, we don't believe in "blind faith", however, your average frum yid, doesn't know as much Torah as a rav, and bec a rav knows more, he is usually in a better position to be able to say what Hashem's will is in any given situation. And ultimately, our goal in life is to do Ratzon Hashem, G-d's Will.

LubavitchLeah

Mon, May 21 2007, 2:16 pm

This is a great topic.
I believe one needs to ALWAYS hold by one specific RAV in this regard because its truly not simple to dilineate.
Chumras and Halachos are clearly not always two seperate entities For example one community may hold that Chalav Yisrael is a Halacha, NOT a Chumra. However in an entirely different community its only regarded as a higher level. This becomes very debatable and an argument which is why one needs to always find their own Rav, community to hold by. One cannot always open the Shulchan Aruch onself and simply interpret oneself.
Taking on what ones Rav would call extra stringencies is very commendable if the commitement and motivation along with intellectual understanding is there but taking it on ambivalently is dangerous. Think long and hard before taking on Chumras, because going back is far worse then not taking it on at all.
I for example took on a chumra years ago and till this day I still struggle with it. I dont carry in the eruv, and having small kids, Im at times frustrated. Did I do the right thing taking this on? I believe I did and dont regret it but honestly its hard and unless someone thinks this through dont just at a whim take on chumras, speak to your Rav and analyse first.
We should however always STRIVE to better our observance and yesss to take more stringencies in the big picture.