Igros Moshe (YD iV #2|) Concerning the small bugs which are found in a number of types of vegetables
I have heard that a number of people have said in my name a certain view regarding the small worms that are known to be found in many types of vegetables. In fact I did not say any ruling in this matter. On the contrary, I am in fact more inclined to be lenient and as you and my son wrote that something which is not visible to the naked eye is not prohibited and is at least not considered an entity that is not nullified in a mixture. This in addition to the justification mentioned in Shulchan Aruch. Or it is possible to rely on the view that an entity is nullified in a mixture of 1 to a thousand. Or the view that an entity that doesn’t survive forever separately in its original state but is attached to a mixture and can’t be separated becomes nullified or that the Rabbis did not decree that an entity is not nullified in something disgusting that a person views as repellent Also as I wrote to you and to many others that as a general rule there is great importance given in halacha to minhag (custom) of what people typically do and have done. It is prohibited to cast aspersion on the previous generations who were not concerned with these things because they didn’t know about them. Therefore I say without investigating the matter thoroughly since because of my health it is difficult at present. it is impossible to rule strictly and publicize that the matter is prohibited And of greater importance I don’t want my name associated with those who rule that it is prohibited.
You once said that you heard from Rav Shternbuch shlita,. that in order order to give kula, one needs to have a reputation as a machmir.
ReplyDeleteHow does that apply to Rav Moshe ztl, who had a reputation as a meikel?
Rav Sternbuch said in order that your leniencies should be accepted you be should established as a machmir.
DeleteRav Moshe was already widely accepted except for his Chmura's not only by the masses but also most rabbis. As is known Rav Hutner had a problem accepting him while Rav |Soloveitchik and Lubavitsher Rebbe accepted him.
It's very interesting. Perhaps Rav Sternbuch is expressing his own kehilla, which has in general, some of the greatest requirements in terms of chumras, eg Kashruth, dress code, hair covering etc.
DeleteTo put it another way, in the first part of his career, Rav Elyashiv had something of a reputation of finding heterim, which is why Rav Herzog brought him into the rabbanut. If my description is correct, again it's reflective of what is required by that kehilla or Shaa, ie era - post Holocaust early State, and large secular population