Tuesday, February 10, 2009

The penalty for enabling others to sin

Hi,

"Do not hate your neighbor in your heart; rather, rebuke your friend and do not bear sin for him."

(Leviticus 19:17)

This teaches that one who believes another person is sinning, and doesn't attempt to correct that behavior, is himself actually sinning.

The Magid of Dubna (Mashal 195) highlighted the liability of those who enable sin by citing the uneven relationship between an alcoholic and a person who provides alcoholic drinks for others.

The alcoholic who drinks and does something wrong, and then is punished for it, has performed a prohibited act and must pay the price. But the person who didn't even drink is going to have to pay the price without even receiving the "benefit" of the prohibited act!

Have a great day,
Mordechai

2 comments:

  1. The person A who gives person B, who has alcoholic tendencies is doubly wrong because he is sabotaging person B's sobriety, and he is endangering others at the same time, should B get drunk.

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