[Avodah] who determines norms?

Akiva Miller akivagmiller at gmail.com
Sun Mar 20 03:45:25 PDT 2022


.
R' Joel Rich asked:

> I once posted: I've never really resolved myself how I feel
> about the concept that the first people who do something are
> sinners but if enough of them do it becomes the norm and
> acceptable. Thoughts?

I don't have any sources or answers, but I do have a parallel situation,
and perhaps it can yield some helpful sources.

You are asking about the transition from assur to muttar.
Please consider the transition from optional to required.

In other words, the first people who choose to do a certain act, or to do
something a certain way, are mere individuals who have no effect on the
public. But if this thing catches on, and enough people do it, it may
become an official minhag which others are then required to follow. At
exactly what point in time does this change occur?

I suspect that in both cases, there is *no* specific point in time for the
changeover. Rather, it is all about appearances. When it *appears* like
most people are doing it, that is what is relevant. (Alternatively: When it
appears like [choose one: the great majority / the vast majority / almost
everyone / apparently everyone] is doing it, that is what is relevant.)

There are many cases in halacha where appearance is more important than
reality. (Are your tefillin square?) Perhaps this is one of them.

Akiva Miller
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