A Jewish law (Halacha) develops as decisions are made about
questions that hadn't previously been raised. This is generally
a process of addition rather than change; Rabbis can't overturn
decisions made by earlier Rabbis, especially if these decisions
have been widely accepted. (Customs, which weren't the result of
Rabbinic decrees, do sometimes change.)
The decrees issued by a Rabbinical court are effective only for
those who accept the authority of that court. Some countries (e.g.,
Israel) have official Rabbinical structures, but others (e.g., the
U.S.) don't. In either case, Rabbinical courts don't always have
effective ways of enforcing their decisions.
Ask a follow-up question |
