Ask the Rabbi with Rabbi Chaim Mintz
The other day, I was with a friend and asked him why he wasn’t eating a certain food. “Isn’t it kosher?” I asked. He said, “It is kosher, but I’m machmir (stringent) not to eat it.” What does that mean? Is it kosher or not?
Rabbi Chaim Mintz responds:
What Is a Stringency in Jewish Law?
In Torah observance, there are obligations and there are practices that go beyond the letter of the law (lifnim mishurat hadin). A stringency in Jewish law, often called a “chumra,” is an added measure of care in fulfilling the mitzvot (Torah commandments), going beyond what is strictly required.
For instance, the food your friend avoided may have been kosher according to most authorities, but forbidden by a minority view. While it is permitted according to halachah (Torah law), refraining in order to satisfy all opinions would be an example of a personal stringency—an added measure beyond what is strictly required.
Why Some People Choose to Be Stringent
The Mesilat Yesharim (Chapter 18) explains that when a person loves Hashem, he goes the extra mile, striving to serve Him with even greater dedication. This is the nature of all loving relationships. A child who loves his parents doesn’t simply do what he is asked, when he is asked; he goes beyond, seeking to fulfill what he knows are their unspoken wishes. He won’t just ensure his parents have food—he’ll bring them their favorite meal. He won’t just provide a bed—he’ll make sure it’s comfortable.
Similarly, one who loves Hashem doesn’t merely observe the mitzvot as required, but performs them with extra care and devotion, trying his best to please Him. Such efforts often take the form of a stringency in Jewish practice, motivated by love, in addition to obligation.
Finding Balance: The Danger of Overdoing It
However, one must be careful not to overdo it. Although there were great rabbis who went above and beyond in everything they did, most people are not on that level. Fulfilling our basic obligations is already a significant task, and piling on too many personal stringencies can turn mitzvot into a burden, taking away from the joyful experience they are meant to be.
Rather than taking on numerous Jewish stringencies, a person can demonstrate his love for Hashem by choosing a few meaningful areas in which to go beyond the letter of the law.
Stringency Is Not Obligation
A person must also be careful not to confuse a personal stringency with actual halachic obligations. Failing to observe a stringency is not a sin, and one should not be overly harsh on himself because of it. Likewise, he must take care not to look down on others simply because they do not observe the same stringencies in Jewish law.
Context Matters in Jewish Stringencies
Furthermore, unlike prohibitions and mitzvot, which must be upheld in nearly all circumstances, Jewish stringencies depend on context and require careful consideration. In fact, the Mesilat Yesharim dedicates an entire chapter—titled Mishkal HaChassidut (The Weighing of Piety)—to the importance of evaluating each situation before deciding to accept an extra stringency.
For example, when adopting a stringency, one must consider its impact on others. Being stringent in public could lead to confusion or resentment, making it potentially inappropriate. One such case might be adhering to stringencies in kashrut (kosher laws) when it affects family members or hosts. This is not the case with actual halachic obligations—if the kashrut of an item is indeed questionable, you must refrain from eating it regardless of how others react.
Not Every Stringency Is for Everyone
In addition, one should not simply latch onto every new fad he hears or reads about, as not every stringency is suitable to adopt. A person should have a mesorah (Jewish generational tradition)—on how to serve Hashem, and while some stringencies will align with that tradition, others will not.
The best approach is for each person to ask his rabbi or mentor to help determine which stringencies are suitable for him, as well as when and to what extent they should be followed.
In Summary: The Role of Stringency in Jewish Law
In short: A stringency is a voluntary practice beyond the letter of the law, which a person adopts out of love for Hashem. While admirable, it must be chosen with careful consideration, in moderation, and with the right mindset.
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