We have to be careful that the chumrah, being overdone, should not lead to a kulah. The Chacham Tzvi wanted to be matir kitniyos as it requires to make more matzos and there is the danger of not being able to watch out for chametz. The Chayai Adam wanted to asser potatoes, so he was told that he is taking away the chayai adam. It says לא תוסיפו ולא תגרעו ממנו the addition brings to a diminution. Adam Harishon by adding not to touch ended up in eating from the eiz hadaas. The mashel is to the individual who borrowed some silver utensils. When paying back, he gave back an additional piece saying it gave birth. Later, he wanted to borrow an expensive candelabra. The lender thought, why not I will receive a smaller one back. The end was that the borrower never returned it by saying, it died. So when asked, how can it die? He said if you believe it gave birth, you also have to believe it died.
Menu