Wednesday 2 September 2009

The Limits of "Azzut Panim"

When should one stand up for Halacha?

When should one defer to the sensibilities of the Tzibbur?

When is Minhag Hassidut desirable?

When is it undesirable?


The following discussion is culled from the Avodah list:

Dov Kaiser's Hilluq - quoting Ramchal's Mesilat Yesharim - is quoted with permission

-RRW


«If the halacha had said that one should not answer Kaddish too loudly because it disturbs the kavana of other people, I would understand that. But merely because they are laughing? I don't get it.»

DK:
"See Perek 20, Mesilas Yeshorim, where Ramchal explains that although must one perform mitzvos, ie strict obligations, even though people will laugh at him, this does not apply to chumros.

In the case of chumros, making oneself an object of mockery involves lifnei iver vis-a-vis the mockers. Therefore, it is sometimes inappropriate to go beyond the letter of the law in public. One might easily have adopted the position that we need not be concerned with mockers, but this is clearly not the Ramchal's position. It is possible that this would not apply to the mockery of non-Jews, but I think that the gist of Ramchal's shita does not make any distinction.


PS from RRW

Furthermore, see Shulchan Aruch Orach Hayyim 1:1 where the Rema quoted the Moreh Nevuchim on this subject

Also see there the Mishnah Brura's Bei'ur Halachah, S.V. V'lo yitbayesh

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