[Avodah] slippery slope

[Eli Turkel]

We have discussed recently the concept of the slippery slope.
I still am confused if the objection to any change in halacha due to
changed circumstances or just to those with a preceived femimist
motivation.

As many have pointed out halacha constantly changes with circumstances.
A famous case is Chanukah candles. Where once they were lit outside
to publicize the miracle in Europe they were lit inside for safety reasons.
Then it was paskened that one can light candles all night since in any case
pedestrians can no longer see the lights. Also two entrances no longer need
separate candles since we dont care about outsiders.
In fact the halacha that one lights by the door with the mezuza on one side
and the menoah on the other side had less meaning since most doors
no longer had mezuzot again for safety reasons. This led to different customs
as to the order/direction of lighting the candles.

It is interesting to note that I have seen opinions that someone on an
upper floor should not light on the ground floor since that changes
the custom of
lighting inside!!! i.e. we dont abandon a custom of the last 1000
years for that of chazal

It is well known that on Yom Tov one can do certain melachot if they bring
benefit as long as the benefit is "universal". However,
things that were not
universal in the past are not almost universal, a typical example
being taking a hot shower. If the halacha changes is then debated

If slippery slope applies only to ";feminist" changes then we start
analyzing the motives of people. Many women have objected strongly that
their motives are to increase and display their
spirituality and not for feminist reasons. It is easy to attack the
motives of others with whom one disagrees implying all sort of sinister motives
without any proof concerning the individual in question.
Now changes in halacha become more of a political issue than the halachic
poretz geder which seems to apply more to people who are conscientiously
going against halakha such as not keeping yom tov sheni of galut

-- 
Eli Turkel