Helping to Sin

Speaker:
Ask author
Date:
May 09 2005
Downloads:
0
Views:
1012
Comments:
0
 
The Rishonim (such as Tosafot, Shabbat 3a, s.v. bava) note that while the Biblical prohibition to help another to sin, from the verse “Lifnei iver lo titten michshol (‘you shall not place a stumbling block before the blind, Vayikra 19:14)”, only applies when the aid is integral to the sin taking place, there is nonetheless a rabbinical prohibition (m’sayea l’idei ovrei aveirah) to help a transgression happen to any degree, even when it would happen in any event. As later authorities note (see Resp. Sha’arei Ezra, 103), this prohibition may be a rabbinic version of “Lifnei Iver”, but it may also come from a different source, the responsibility of Jews toward each other (arvut), and the obligation to rebuke one who is sinning. One ramification of this distinction may be that while the Talmud is explicit that “Lifnei Iver” applies when dealing with any person, “arvut”is a concept linking Jews specifically (see Resp. Chatam Sofer, Y.D. 19). The Klausenberger Rebbe (Resp. Divrei Yatziv, Y.D. 47) writes that the rabbinical prohibition only applies when it is definite that a transgression will take place. (See also Resp. Meshiv Davar, II, 32, for a discussion of situations where the prohibition is suspended in the interests of maintaining peace; see also Resp. Dor R’vi’i, I, 13:2; Resp. Minchat Elazar, I, 53; Resp. Chavalim B’N’imim, Chid. Sugyot, 31:2).

Gemara:

Collections: Rabbi Feldman Mini Shiur (Daf)

References: Shabbat: 3a  

Publication: Mini Shiur (Daf) Volume 1

    More from this:
    Comments
    0 comments
    Leave a Comment
    Title:
    Comment:
    Anonymous: 

    Learning on the Marcos and Adina Katz YUTorah site is sponsored today by Debbie Nossbaum in loving memory of her father, Nathan Werdiger, נתן בן שלמה אלימלך and by Tommy and Perrie Gelb l'ilui nishmas Leah bas Yosef (Sternbach) Gelb on her yahrzeit on ה' טבת and by Harris and Elli Teitz Goldstein l'ilui nishmas Elli's beloved father, הרה'ג רב פינחס מרדכי טייץ, on his 30th yahrzeit on ד' טבת and in loving memory of Dr. Felix Glaubach, אפרים פישל בן ברוך, to mark his first yahrtzeit, by Miriam, his children, grandchildren & great grandchildren