Lo Tisgodedu: Conflicting Rulings in One Community

Lo Sisgodedu: Conflicting Rabbinic Rulings within a Community

Chazal (our Sages) interpret the mitzvah of “Lo Sisgodedu,” to mean “lo saasu agudos agudos”, that it is forbidden to divide a community into various factions—to  have conflicting groups within one community who follow different halachic rulings. Such a situation creates machlokos gedolos (much discord) within Jewish communities. There are poskim who say that it is an issur de’Oraysa (Biblical prohibition), whereas others say it is an issur de’Rabbanan (Rabbinic prohibition). The beginning of the pasuk is, “Banim atem la’Hashem Elokeichem,“—Jewish people are children to Hashem, and since we are all children of one G-d, we should all act in a unified manner, with no disparity. When members of a community follow rulings that are at variance with each other, it appears kishtei Toros (as if there are two Torahs) and kishtei Elokus, chas v’shalom (as if there are two different gods, Heaven forbid). There is a discussion in halachah regarding “shtei batei dinim be’ir achas” (two Rabbinic courts in one city), whether that violates the prohibition of Lo Sisgodedu or not. In many places nowadays there are various distinct communities living side by side. Poskim agree that if they originated elsewhere as separate communities there is no issue of Lo Sisgodedu. Certainly, if there is one Beis Din in one community, but the dayanim are divided, and act as if there were two different Batei Din, it is not acceptable. This can potentially result in a situation, mentioned above, where people within the same community follow different halachic rulings. Unquestionably, the Torah way is for the community to be united. The halachah is that in case a halachic decision isn’t unanimous, we are to follow the majority opinion. 379

https://halacha2go.com?number=379

Practical Halacha: One minute a day. By Horav Yosef Yeshaya Braun, shlita, Mara D'asra and member of the Badatz of Crown Heights.