Taking on measures of special piety

Hi,

"Regarding taking on acts of special piety which involve pain, one who wishes to identify as unique may do so, one who wishes to identify as a Torah scholar may do so.

"Regarding taking on acts of special piety which confer honour, not all who wish to identify as unique may do so, not all who wish to identify as a Torah scholar may do so, unless one has been appointed as a leader by the community…

"Rabbi Zeira said: Only, one may not take these on if that will disgrace others [who are not practicing thus]."

(Talmud Yerushalmi, Berachot 2:9)

המצפה לישועה,
Mordechai

The value of a stringency

Hi,

Rabbi Yehoshua once ruled strictly, following the view of the school of Shammai on a particular issue.

"Rabbi Yehoshua's students said to him: Our master, you have made us go extra distance!

"Rabbi Yehoshua replied: Better that I should make you go extra distance in this world, so that you might then 'go extra distance' in the next world!"

(Talmud, Niddah 16b)

המצפה לישועה,
Mordechai

Stringencies

Hello,

"The students of Shammai said to him [regarding a particular stringency]: Our Master! You have lengthened things so much for us!

"Shammai replied: Better that I lengthen things for you here, so that your days will be lengthened in the next world!"

(Talmud, Niddah 16b)

Have a great day,
Mordechai