47. The Lesser of Two Evils: Is it Ever Kosher to Look the Other Way? - Feat. Rabbi Shimon Altshul

Shu"T First, Ask Questions Later

In this episode, Rabbi Shimon Altshul joins us to delve into a captivating responsum of the Chasam Sofer (Y.D., no. 45), one of the most influential Jewish scholars of the 18th/19th century. We explore a kashrus controversy that rocked his community, where a debate over the potentially treif status of much of their food threatened to tear the community apart. Rabbi Altshul masterfully unpacks the Chasam Sofer's nuanced approach, as he navigated the delicate balance between upholding stringent standards and addressing the practical needs of his community. Through this fascinating case study, we gain insight into the Chasam Sofer's leadership, his commitment to halakhic excellence, and why he became immortalized as one of the greatest poskim of the recent centuries.