Halachipedia:About: Difference between revisions
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==Who are we?== | ==Who are we?== | ||
<p style="text-indent: 2em">The founder and | <p style="text-indent: 2em">The founder and editors of the site are students or graduates of Yeshiva University. My brothers and I came up with this idea a few years ago. At first, we thought it was impossible to organize and translate all of the halacha but thought perhaps it would be possible if it's done slowly and with the help of others. By the way, every edit or comment is greatly appreciated.</p> | ||
<p style="text-indent: 2em"> In general, the site is meant to cater to Orthodox Jews of all types and minhagim. Therefore, irrelevant of my background, I'm happy to to include as many Orthodox opinions as possible. However, as the site is growing and isn't finished it's very possible that a particular opinion on a particular subject was missed.</p> | <p style="text-indent: 2em"> In general, the site is meant to cater to Orthodox Jews of all types and minhagim. Therefore, irrelevant of my background, I'm happy to to include as many Orthodox opinions as possible. However, as the site is growing and isn't finished it's very possible that a particular opinion on a particular subject was missed.</p> | ||
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==A possible argument against Halachipedia== | ==A possible argument against Halachipedia== | ||
<p style="text-indent: 2em">One of the main concerns about Halachipedia is that it threatens asking the local Rabbi. However, after thinking through the issue, the challenge can be addressed adequately. A very common misconception is that any question about how to act in a certain situation requires a pesak from a certified posek and anyone who tries to find the halacha autonomously is arrogant and mistaken. However, one should notice that halacha is a process which has developed over time and there has been two main streams of halachic literature. The essence of Halacha is the body of literature, spanning from the Gemara to achronim, comprised of books that are devoted to clarifying and organizing halacha. Over the centuries, communities and even the whole of the Jewish people have accepted certain books as more authoritative. Determining which books are definitive is not a science yet certainly is not guesswork. Practically speaking certain books that are widely accepted become accepted practice (Minhag) of a group, community, sect, and sometimes all of the Jewish people. </p> | <p style="text-indent: 2em">One of the main concerns about Halachipedia is that it threatens asking the local Rabbi. However, after thinking through the issue, the challenge can be addressed adequately. A very common misconception is that any question about how to act in a certain situation requires a pesak from a certified posek and anyone who tries to find the halacha autonomously is arrogant and mistaken. However, one should notice that halacha is a process which has developed over time and there has been two main streams of halachic literature. The essence of Halacha is the body of literature, spanning from the Gemara to achronim, comprised of books that are devoted to clarifying and organizing halacha. Over the centuries, communities and even the whole of the Jewish people have accepted certain books as more authoritative. Determining which books are definitive is not a science yet certainly is not guesswork. Practically speaking certain books that are widely accepted become accepted practice (Minhag) of a group, community, sect, and sometimes all of the Jewish people. </p> | ||
<p style="text-indent: 2em">Therefore, if someone asks whether I can light a fire on [[Shabbat]] I don’t need a posek I just tell him that it's forbidden, it’s obvious, it’s a פסוק in the Torah! Similarly, many opinions permit relaying the rulings of Shulchan Aruch as is because of how widely accepted the opinion of Shulchan Aruch has become. Similarly, the Mishna Brurah is one of the most widely accepted books among Ashkenazim, the Shulchan Aruch HaRav among Chasidim, and occasionally the Ben Ish Chai or Yalkut Yosef among Sephardim. Without a doubt each of the above do not have | <p style="text-indent: 2em">Therefore, if someone asks whether I can light a fire on [[Shabbat]] I don’t need a posek I just tell him that it's forbidden, it’s obvious, it’s a פסוק in the Torah! Similarly, many opinions permit relaying the rulings of Shulchan Aruch as is because of how widely accepted the opinion of Shulchan Aruch has become. Similarly, the Mishna Brurah is one of the most widely accepted books among Ashkenazim, the Shulchan Aruch HaRav among Chasidim, and occasionally the Ben Ish Chai or Yalkut Yosef among Sephardim. Without a doubt each of the above do not have a monopoly on halacha and there are countless opinions that could be considered in any ordinary halacha. Nonetheless, relaying the opinions of established authorities is not considered pesak, it’s just called finding the appropriate page to answer your question. In learning halacha, it’s clear that a person does not need Semicha or ordination in order to collect opinions on an issue and even to a certain extent find some conclusion. Nonetheless, it’s certainly not the job of Halachipedia to arbitrate between the major opinions of our day and all the more so to arbitrate between the authorities of old, but rather it’s to collect the relevant modern day opinions which are most widely accepted, organize them, and allow the public to gain significantly in Torah and halacha. Yehe Ratzon Milfanecha that all those who put effort into this site with a pure heart be blessed with continued success in learning, and merit to reap the benefit of their labor in the world to come. </p> | ||
==What’s acceptable for Halachipedia content?== | ==What’s acceptable for Halachipedia content?== | ||
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==Attitude towards halacha== | ==Attitude towards halacha== | ||
===Uncompromising attitude === | ===Uncompromising attitude === | ||
Even if there’s difficulties it's crucial to realize one’s shortcomings and at the same time view the halacha | Even if there’s difficulties it's crucial to realize one’s shortcomings and at the same time view the halacha with great esteem. Chazal teach us that Hashem doesn't challenge a person except within his abilities and he's only expected to excel using his abilities. A God-fearing Jew should continuously work to try to achieve an uncompromising attitude towards Halacha even if the road to observance is difficult and long. | ||
===Don’t despair=== | ===Don’t despair=== | ||
If one realizes that one has made a mistake, no matter how bad it may be and no matter the length of time one has been erring don't despair because everyone sins and everyone can repent and be forgiven completely. | If one realizes that one has made a mistake, no matter how bad it may be and no matter the length of time one has been erring don't despair because everyone sins and everyone can repent and be forgiven completely. One shouldn't dismiss a halacha as impractical or archaic, rather with humility one should investigate how it properly applies to his life and see how best to observe that halacha. For this, it is important to have a rabbi as a religious rode model. | ||
===Catharsis=== | ===Catharsis=== | ||
A person can be inspired to follow halacha precisely because it seems to be overwhelming and it challenges man to overcome one's natural instinct and follow the will of the Creator. | |||
===Spirituality=== | ===Spirituality=== | ||
We don’t serve Shulchan Aruch, we serve Hashem. One's intent should always be focused on serving Hashem's will and bringing | We don’t serve Shulchan Aruch, we serve Hashem. One's intent should always be focused on serving Hashem's will and bringing oneself closer to Him in a spiritual sense. | ||
