Chumra (Judaism)

A chumra (pronounced [/χuˈmʁa/]; Hebrew: חוּמרָה; pl. חוּמרוֹת, ḥumrôt) is a prohibition or obligation in the practice of Judaism that exceeds the bare minimum required by Halakha (Jewish law). One who imposes a chumra on oneself is said to be maḥmir (מַחמִיר, 'stringent') vis-à-vis the given practice.

A chumra can be adopted by an individual or an entire Jewish community. Early allusions to chumrot are found in the Talmud, but the meaning and application thereof have evolved since the Talmudic era. After a chumra has been observed for generations, it may take on the status of a minhag (מִנְהָג, 'custom'), thus becoming a halakhically binding requirement for religious Jews from families or communities that initially adopted the chumra.

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