| The main Halachic authorities of recent generations -- the Chofetz Chaim [Mishneh Brurah], Chazon Ish and Reb Moshe Feinstein [Igros Moshe]were not excessively stringent and understood the practical problems of their times. The tendency for increased stringenciy has more to do with social change and increasing polarisation. When Jews shared the basic moral values of their host society, there was leniency. Now that there is a great moral gulf between Judaism and Western liberal values, we have been stringent to protect our youth from corruption |
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