[Avodah] Women at Funerals

[Zev Sero]

Joseph C. Kaplan wrote:

> I understand that and I also like to think that, when instituted, the 
> minhagim were beneficial to the people at that time.  But if the way we 
> deal with emotional experiences is different today, and if we are 
> dealing with minhag and not halacha, might it therefore not be more 
> sensitive, and thus more beneficial to the mourners, to have a more 
> flexible approach in this area?  And, I note, that in asking for 
> flexibility, I am not seeking to abrogate the minhag.  But if a chevrah 
> or rabbi sees that the mourner is being adversely affected by the 
> minhag, might that not be a time to err on the side of flexibility and 
> sensitivity?

Not if it's a sakanah.  You don't compromise on safety rules just to
make someone feel good.

-- 
Zev Sero                      The trouble with socialism is that you
zev at sero.name                 eventually run out of other people’s money
                                                     - Margaret Thatcher