Rabbenu Yeruham ben Meshullam (Provence, 14th century)

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"Those accustomed to not eating rice and various kinds of cooked qitniyot on Passover abide by a stupid custom which makes it harder on themselves [to observe and enjoy the festival] and I have no idea why they do so".

Comments

Anonymous said…
Very interesting since it's the precise opposite of Rabbenu Manoah's reason for forbidding them (that there is no joy in eating dishes made from qitniyot).

Personally I like them.
March 11, 2007 9:08 AM
Anonymous said…
I think he should call me for some of my grnadmother's nonkitniyote recipes to see that we can look forward all year to the special menu of Pesach even if it without kitniyos. Be honest, how many weeks of the year pass with you coincidentally not eating any kitniyos. Hardly an 'inui' (suffering)
March 11, 2007 10:42 AM
kitniyot@gmail.com said…
The issue is whether customs (not halacha) are practiced when they're no longer relevant or that they assume an importance that in terms of mindshare they actually eclipse the halacha. This has become the case with kiniyot which receives so much more attention than chametz.
March 11, 2007 11:09 AM
Anonymous said…
I recently met a Rav from the O-U who made aliyah several years ago. He said that the whole issue of minhagim has been blown out of proportion and drifted into what is nearly "avoda zara". He also told me that he grew up eating peanuts and cooking with peanut oil. Then in the 1960's they were suddenly declared treif/kitniyot by the Satmars.

Interestingly enough, he told me that they had a sole concession on Safflower(?) oil that was kosher l'pesach--and pricy.
March 11, 2007 11:59 AM
Anonymous said…
Don't frum Jews understand-Judaism is so much more attractive when we observe that which is important and not that whichg is ridiculous. Logic in Judaism is the worth 10 billion dollars in kiruv!
March 11, 2007 10:07 PM
Anonymous said…
Why is it so difficult to fathom that the geographic realities that gave rise to Ashkenazim and Sephardim no longer exist here in Israel-Judaism should not make halachic distinction based on race or ethnic background, rather on a Torah true approach such as that of HaRav Bar Hayim!
March 11, 2007 10:14 PM
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