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From
<a href="http://tinyurl.com/8l8aog2" eudora="autourl">
http://tinyurl.com/8l8aog2</a><br><br>
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<font face="arial" size=3><b>BACKGROUND</b> <br><br>
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) <br><br>
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) <br><br>
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: <br><br>
<b>1.</b> Some communities adhered to it strictly, not allowing any pas
palter at all.(5) <br><br>
<b>2.</b> Some communities allowed pas palter only when there was no
other pas Yisrael available.(6) <br><br>
<b>3.</b> 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) <br><br>
<b>4.</b> Others allowed pas palter to be eaten even when pas Yisrael of
the same quality and type was available.(8) <br><br>
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) <br><br>
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) <br><br>
<i>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. <br><br>
</i>See the above URL for the other footnotes and more.<br><br>
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 <i>Chayei Adam 143:1, Kitzur Shulchan Aruch
130:2 and Aruch ha-Shulchan </i>it is certainly not a Chumra. YL<br>
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