Monday, April 17, 2006

Chumras Ha-Pesach

There is a concept, quoted in the name of the Arizal, that any stringent custom on Pesach is to be praised because of "chumras ha-Pesach". That the Torah and the Sages treated Pesach very strictly is obvious. The same seems to have continued throughout the ages, including the custom of refraining from eating kitniyos. But this idea goes farther, and seems to approve any stringent practice.

I've seen this applied by Chassidic halachic scholars (e.g. the Shulchan Aruch Ha-Rav and Minchas Elazar) but not by non-Chassidic posekim. Is anyone aware of non-Chassidic scholars utilizing this idea from the Arizal in practice?


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