History Of Minhagim

Catalog description

This course will examine the historical and social development of minhag within the body of rabbinic literature. We will investigate the place and status of minhag in halakhah as well as its role as a historical source of law. The analysis will focus on such principles as minhag mivatel halakhah, minhag Yisrael din and minhag avotenu biyadenu. Illustrative examples of specific customs will be explored, including minhagim such as mourning rites during sefirat haomer, the times when women are exempt from work, kapparot, beards, and customs related to the holiday of Shavuot, bar and bat mitzvah and Sefer Torah.