S"A Principles

Avodah
1

Question: I note that the S"A O"C 158:10 (Hand Washing) quotes the Gemara (R'Chisda) in support of using more than the minimum required amount of water for hand washing. Given the Mechaber's goal that the Shulchan Aruch be a halachic summary of his magnum opus, the Beit Yosef, does anyone know of a theory as to why the Mechaber in some cases quotes Talmudic sources (or Torah or Rishonim) and in others just states the halacha? Any study of the frequency of such quotes?
KT
Joel Rich

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2

Reb Joel asks:
does anyone know of a theory as to why the Mechaber in some cases quotes Talmudic sources (or Torah or Rishonim) and in others just states the halacha?

My theory is that when it is either a well known halacha and no reason to question it or at least, when the Mechaber thought it to be indisputable, then
it was felt there was no reason to quote sources. OTOH, if was felt that there would be many questioning it, then the sources quoted would obviate
that from occurring.