[Avodah] radical honesty?

[Micha Berger]

On Mon, Sep 01, 2025 at 06:56:14PM -0400, Akiva Miller via Avodah wrote:
> R' Joel Rich quoted a translation of Rav Mendel Shafran:
>> And the reason that most of the gdolim do not use this (tcheilet)
>> is not because they doubt the truth of the matter, but rather
>> because in the last two hundred years there has been established
>> an internal feeling that we don't change things even if according
>> to the strict hlacha one should have instituted them or changed
>> them, and this is as a defense against destroyers who try to
>> change and adapt.(halacha?)
`
> This attitude is very consistent with what I've seen and heard from various
> quarters over the decades. And it is consistent with certain writings that
> have been written in recent centuries. In fact, I would agree that in many
> cases, this attitude HAS been an effective protection against certain
> influences which would be negative in the long run.

Not just influences. Change itself. Halakhah, at least until the next
Sanhedrin providing central authority, needs a bit of rigidity to survive.

First, because .... mimeticism. It's a critical piece of the halachic
process. It allows us to follow eilu va'eilu and yet still forge a
consistent path that evolves in step with how the community evolves.

Second, if it is a separate issue because it's another aspect of
mimeticism, nostalgia is an important motivator. Rosh haShanah and Yom
Kippur are greatly enhanced when you know the old tunes. (How long has
the Ashkenazi melody for Kol Nidrei been in use, with only miniscule
evolution?) Or Eili Tzion. The Seder, of course, relies heavily on it.

> But one must be reasonable! ...

I wear murex-dyed strings, so I won't argue with this sentiment.

As for your fears about accepting the mashiach's reality... It is
small compared to the hurdle of accepting the Sanhedrin's! After all,
they are empowered to overrule Shas and Mishnayos.

Maybe that's why both Mashiach and the Sanhedrin will be preceded by
the return of the Navi who managed to convince the "nevi'ei" Ba'al.
So the actual challenge I foresee is whether we will be able to hold
onto the faith longer than they did.

Tir'u baTov!
-Micha

-- 
Micha Berger                 You will never "find" time for anything.
http://www.aishdas.org/asp   If you want time, you must make it.
Author: Widen Your Tent                        - Charles Buxton
- https://amzn.to/2JRxnDF