Rama– More Progressive than he get’s Credit for

Friday, November 13th, 2009/ 26 Cheshvan 5770
RAMA, he’s more progressive than people give him credit for

RAMA as great Halachist, and when necessary Innovator, seeking to make halacha truly responsive to the needs of the moment, of the generation within which he lived, says the following in justification for marrying a couple on Shabbos when not doing so, may have caused extreme embarassment to the bride, possibly preveting her from finding another suitable match…. he took a lot of flak for it from other rabbis in his time, so I say “Go! Go RAMA GO!!”

• “When new circumstances develop that were unknown to ancient authorities and there is fear of ruination or prohibition that was not suspected in ancient times, it is certainly permitted to institute new enactments.”

–RAMA, from Moses Isserles, Responsa HaRama, ed. Asher Ziv, Jerusalem, 1971, no 128; See also, glosses to Orach Chayim 339.9

Todah Rabah, RAMA!!

Rabbi Sarah Etz Alon, Eber-Lat Living Lab