Reply To: Kula-ization of Judaism.

ROB, the things you mention are not new chumras, they are simply the way we keep old ones. Eating insects has always been forbidden.

The mechaber clearly forbids drying one’s hands without wringing them offf first. The sevoro of derch lichluch is a tur, and is negged most rishoinim, additinally it may no longer apply as our water is sanitized and clean.

Concerning the pictures – producing a 2d picture remains ossur according to numerous rishoinim, so it amazes me that all those who are makpid on other basic things like Rabbeinu tam z’man etc.. are not makpid on this.

All three cases i gave are cases where MOST peole are simple not aware of the halacha.