Halacha Before Mysticism

Rav Yihya spoke out against a community that neglected halacha for mystical matters. He urged a return to strict adherence to halacha as set out in the Rambam's Mishneh Torah, and to the rational approach of the Rambam and Rav Saadia Gaon. He opposed customs that he held to be superstition, such as scattering ash and crumbs for the demons, as forbidden darkhei haEmori.