Meno & Yekke2: Thank you so, so much!!!! You don’t know how much I appreciate the validation. It is not something I have been getting very much of in the CR. It is quite frustrating when I speak up about something because I feel I have a chiyuv to even though it is extremely difficult for me, because it is really not my type at all to say anything resembling criticism to anybody, but when it is a question of Loshon Hora or a bizayon to the Gedolim or kefira, I have to speak up even though it is REALLY hard for me, and it is really upsetting when I get knocked for it.
So I really appreciate your validation!! Thank you!!!
And Yekke2 – I’m glad you felt it wasn’t too critical because I was worried that I may have come across too harsh.
Avi K. – true. Even then, I have always felt that it is important that people differentiate between black and white halachos that are assur because the Shulchan Aruch says so and between things that are assur because of Minhag Hamakom, and might be muttar is certain times and/or places. For example, it has always bothered me that some people don’t realize that according to straight halacha, girls are not required to wear socks. If you are part of a community in which it is the norm, it probably is assur to not wear socks. And even if you aren’t, it is possible that many Gedolim feel very strongly that “all bnos Yisrael wear socks” (quote from Rav Shlomo Zalman Auerbach Zatsal when he was asked by the head of an MO seminary if the girls were required to wear socks), but it still seems to me that it is important to differentiate between not wearing socks and not covering your knees, and even if you are makpid to wear socks, you shouldn’t feel that someone who doesn’t is not-Frum.