[Avodah] Gra and importance of Rishonim

[Eli Turkel]

I find the statements of R. Meiselman that Daniel quotes strange.
He makes a deal that RYE Eibshutz wrote on Shulchan Aruch but not on shas.
But in fact the Gra did the very same!! as he is brought as the one
that changed the emphasis.
Certainly other achronim like the Pnei Yehoshua stressed the gemara.

As far as the Gra starting the emphasis on rishonim in fact it is
precisely the Gra who
is known as arguing with Rishonim though he argued with the Saagas
Aryeh for doing so. The idea of not arguing with Rishonim is much
older
though the definition of rishonim changes. So some early achronim (eg
Radvaz) say that one cannot argue with rishonim through the Rosh but
one can argue with later rishonim.
Even today CI and RMF would argue with a Meiri but not other rishonim.

One comment which I have never undertood is brought by RHS that R.
Karo is a rishon
but the Rema is an acharon.


-- 
Eli Turkel