An
alumnus asks...
Is one allowed to go to various Rebbeim with She'elot,
searching until he finds the desired Psak? (which
in most cases would be the most lenient one) Is
one allowed to follow part of one Rav's Psak and
part of another Rav's Psak?
Rabbi
Yonathan Kolatch answers...
Initially, one might defend such behaviour as
appropriate. After all, one is interested in seeking
an authentic Psak Halacha even if it be a lenient
position. As long as the decisions are not mutually
exclusive or contradictory, what is objectionable
with looking for Kulot (leniencies) from different
Rabbis?
Despite
the legitimacy of the above, Kulah shopping involves
profound problems and misunderstandings about
the nature of Psak Halacha. The Gemara (Eruvin
6b, Rosh Hashana 14b) says that one who follows
both the Kulot of Beit Hillel and of Beit Shammai
is a Rasha. [See Encyclopedia Talmudit Vol. 9,
pages 275-76 for a fuller discussion of this Sugyah
and footnote #470, in particular "Rasha"
is a strong term to use concerning someone who
is looking for a Psak Halacha!] But herein lies
the lie. Is the person looking honestly for a
Psak Halacha, or for a stamp of approval for what
he/she wants to do anyway?
Second,
shopping turns the Halachic process from a serious
objective decision making system into a malleable
and meaningless activity.
Third,
each Rav has his own approach and Masoret regarding
Halacha. Mixing one school of thought with another
is a recipe for bizarre intellectual concoctions.
Fourth,
Avot (I:16) advises "Aseh Lecha Rav Vehistalek
Min Hasafek" - (Aquire for yourself a Rav
and keep away from doubt), which most Rishonim
interpret to be referring to the area of Hora'ah
(Halachic decision making). Find yourself a Rav
who knows you, because while Halacha is an objective
decision making system, a particular Psak is a
subjective, personal decision which relates to
the questioner and his/her individual circumstances.
Finally,
seeking answers to problems and questions represents
a Jew's honest quest for seeking Ratzon Hashem
in this world and subjugating his/her will to
a higher one. A Jew who is seriously concerned
about growing in Yirat Shamayim will see the process
of seeking a Psak Halacha as part of his/her connection
to Torah and to one's ongoing development of a
relationship with Hakadosh Baruch Hu.
One
who goes Kulah shopping is not likely to find
any bargains!
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