Chumra

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A Chumra (Hebrew: חומרה ; pl. חומרות, chumrot) is a prohibition or obligation in Jewish practice that exceeds the bare requirements of Halakha (Jewish law). One who imposes a chumra on his- or herself in a given instance is said to be machmir (Hebrew: מחמיר).

An obligation or prohibition can be adopted by an individual or an entire community. Early references to chumrot are found in the Talmud, and the understanding and application of them has changed over time.

In addition, people sometimes use the term chumra to refer to any Jewish practice which they see as unnecessarily strict or extreme, even if (in some cases) Halakha in fact requires that practice.

Most often found in Orthodox Judaism, chumrot are variously seen as a precaution against transgressing the Halakha or as a way of keeping those who have taken on the stringency separate from those who have not.

[edit] See also

• Halakha
• Frum