[Avodah] Eating Pas Yisrael During Aseres Yemei Teshuva

[Prof. Levine]

 From http://tinyurl.com/8l8aog2


BACKGROUND

As part of their overall strategy to guard the Jewish People from 
assimilating among the nations of the world, our Sages decreed 
against eating [kosher] bread that was baked by a non-Jew.(1) This 
edict was one of several which served to limit social interaction 
between Jews and non- Jews. Thus non-Jewish wine, bread, and certain 
cooked foods were all declared off-limits for the Jew.(2)

Since bread is so much more of a dietary staple than other cooked 
foods - indeed, the Rabbis call it chayei nefesh, the vital element 
of the diet - the decree against non-Jewish bread was not as widely 
accepted as the decrees against other cooked foods.(3) Consequently, 
in many communities where quality Jewish-baked bread was not easily 
available, it became customary to eat pas palter, which is kosher 
bread that is baked in non- Jewish bakeries. The rationale behind 
allowing pas palter is that eating bread that was baked in a 
non-Jewish bakery does not lead to mingling and socializing with non-Jews.(4)

Although eating pas palter became commonplace and was endorsed by the 
leading authorities of the day, it was not universally accepted. 
Indeed, as soon as Jewish-baked bread was available, the Rabbinical 
decree against pas palter was reinstated in some communities, and 
non-Jewish bread was not an option. Only Jewish-baked bread, called 
pas Yisrael, was allowed. Thus, depending upon the locality, this 
Rabbinic decree was observed in varying degrees:

1. Some communities adhered to it strictly, not allowing any pas 
palter at all.(5)

2. Some communities allowed pas palter only when there was no other 
pas Yisrael available.(6)

3. Others allowed pas palter to be eaten even when there was pas 
Yisrael available, but only if the pas Yisrael was not of the same 
quality or type.(7)

4. Others allowed pas palter to be eaten even when pas Yisrael of the 
same quality and type was available.(8)

Even today, when pas Yisrael of the best quality is available almost 
everywhere, there are still many communities who rely on the custom 
of yesteryear and allow the consumption of pas palter,(9) especially 
when pas Yisrael of similar quality or type is not available.(10)

Shulchan Aruch advises, however, that during Aseres yemei teshuvah 
everyone should be careful to eat only pas Yisrael.(11) There are 
several reasons, all inter-related, for this halachah: a) so that we 
conduct ourselves with an extra measure of purity during these Days 
of Awe;(12) b) to serve as a reminder of the unique status of these 
days;(13) c) to beseech Hashem not to judge us stringently, just as 
we have adopted a practice which is not strictly required of us.(14)

11 O.C. 603:1. From the way the halachah is presented in Shulchan 
Aruch and Mishnah Berurah, it sounds as if it is a requirement. (See 
also Teshuvos Nachalas Shivah 72, who rules that it is an absolute 
obligation.) Chayei Adam 143:1, Kitzur Shulchan Aruch 130:2 and Aruch 
ha-Shulchan, though, quote this halachah as the "proper" thing to do, 
not as an obligation.

See the above URL for the other footnotes and more.

Given the above,  I fail to see how one can categorize eating only 
Pas Yisroel during the Aseres Yemei Teshuva as a chumra. The fact 
that something is a requirement according to some does not make it a 
chumra IMO.  According to the Chayei Adam 143:1, Kitzur Shulchan 
Aruch 130:2 and Aruch ha-Shulchan it is certainly not a Chumra. YL

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