Reply To: Paskening from the Shulchan Aruch (without knowing the Gemara and Rishonim)

My point is that from what I see in my dealings with Orthodox Jews, their perception of the Shulchan Aruch does not fit with how the Gedolei HaAcharonim viewed it. I tried to be melamed zechus with the Pischei Teshuva but I brought the Aruch Hashulchan to disagree with the limud zechus. I brought the Mishna Berura as another limud zechus.