do we listen to Tosfos?

proudmom ↓

Mon, Jun 27 2005, 4:59 pm

I was doing some research on the internet and the thing I came across was something from gemara and tosfos had a thing about it. I was really confused so I went to talk to someone and he told me that we dont go according to tosfos because they always say the opposite of everything. Did anyone else hear about this?

Motek ↓

Mon, Jun 27 2005, 6:07 pm

The Tosfos often argue with Rashi, and both Tosfos and Rashi are commentators on the Gemara (the first tosafists were Rashi's sons-in-law and grandsons!)

There are thousands of laws like Tosfos!

Anyway, we don't pasken straight out of the Gemara (and Rashi and Tosfos).

↑ Motek

Mon, Jun 27 2005, 7:05 pm

Because most of the time there are many opinions and no final conclusion.

Even the Shulchan Aruch can only be used to know those halachos that are written there, but there are numerous situations that the Shulchan Aruch doesn't address directly.

How does a posek make his decision? He has to know the Gemara, the Shulchan Aruch and dozens of commentaries before he makes a psak - a halachic decision.