Question:
Shalom,
Why is there a difference in halacha rulings in some issues between Sefardim and Ashkenazim .
Does race and geography not matter ?
Shouldn’t religious law be the same regardless ??
Answer:
You are right, race and geography does not matter here. The difference between the Sefardi custom and the Ashkenazi one is that over the years there were different rulings by different rabbis from different countries, and the Sefardim follow the rulings of the Beit Yosef who lived in Safed, while the Ashkenazim follow the rulings of the Rema who lived on Krakow.
Best wishes
