It's interesting that you would mention the Conservative rabbi whipping out the Shulchan Aruch, though -- if only mine would!
I'll admit that this is speculative; while I ask the rabbi at ToL questions of history, reasons for practices, or whatever, I take the questions that are going to inform my practice to my own rabbi. (As it is written: "Make for yourself a rav".) I don't have any problems with the rabbi of ToL, but he's not my rabbi. (My own rabbi does in fact pull out or at least cite traditional sources when we talk, by the way.)
I find myself doing freelance halacha far more often than I'd like.
Well, at least it sounds like you have the education to be able to do someething productive that way, though I agree that it's not ideal.
Re: shuls and observance
Date: 2003-05-13 01:04 pm (UTC)I'll admit that this is speculative; while I ask the rabbi at ToL questions of history, reasons for practices, or whatever, I take the questions that are going to inform my practice to my own rabbi. (As it is written: "Make for yourself a rav".) I don't have any problems with the rabbi of ToL, but he's not my rabbi. (My own rabbi does in fact pull out or at least cite traditional sources when we talk, by the way.)
I find myself doing freelance halacha far more often than I'd like.
Well, at least it sounds like you have the education to be able to do someething productive that way, though I agree that it's not ideal.