gavra_at_work – I agree that there are several different types of chumros. However, I would split them up slightly differently:
The first category would be a chumra due to a lack of clarity of which shita we follow halacha li’maseh. There are several sub-groups to this category: Not relying on a generally accepted kula (for example, cholov stam), or being choshaish for rishonim that the Shulchan Orach/Rema didn’t paskan like (not relying on an eruv).
The second category would be gedarim that may not be halavha, but are there to stop you from being over on the halacha. (Note: this does not include gedarim set up by the Rabbonim, because these are now halacha.)
The third category would be chumros that aren’t really chumros at all, but are things that we feel that Hashem would want us to do.
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oomis1105 – “The Torah shebichsav and the Torah sheb’al Peh are both m’Sinai. One Rov disagreeing with another, seems to not be, though the inyan they are discussing is m’Sinai. When we say . Hashem only gave ONE p’sak of what we need to do. Assur, Mutar.”
Do you have a source for that? And what exactly do you mean when you say “Eilu V’eilu divrei Elokim Chayim, it is their words”?
“If two or 10 rabbanim cannot get a consensus of what the definite law is, then what they are arguing is their own personal (albeit, very learned and authoritative)INTERPRETATION of what Hashem’s Ratzon is. They cannot ALL be right at the same time, much as we give lip service to that idea.”
And some would say that bechirah and hashgacah pratis cannot BOTH be true, much as we give lip service to that idea. Because it’s impossible for something to be true if don’t understand it, right? Who cares that Rabbonim through the generations have told us that it is – what do they know?!
“As to chumros – my ONE AND ONLY concern is that people who are machmir look upon the rest of us no-goodniks who are merely following the Torah, as lesser Yidden. Do not bother to deny it. It is a singular gaiveh that I have seen over and over again, even here in the CR.”
As to kulos – one of my primary concerns is that people who are meikel look upon the rest of us frummies who are not taking chances with the halacha, as nasty, “holier-than-thou”nics who look down on everybody else. Do not bother to deny it. It is a singular generalization that I have seen over and over again, as exemplified by the post above me.