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I think your comment here well describes the difference between having faith as compared to those of us who struggle mightily with the call to "set our personal intellect and judgement aside." Pretty much as simple as that far as I can tell...
Fully agree. In Jewish approach, one is considered to be on a higher level if they can set their intellect aside in favor of what the Torah tells us. But I get it, that will not come easy to most.
New case to bring us into Shabbos (if we don't resolve it today, we can complete it on Sunday):
Reuven owns a fleishig (meat) kosher restaurant. He has noticed that Shimon, who comes every few days for a meal, brings his prized pooch with him, and often feeds the dog a portion of his meal. Shimon couldn't imagine why he could eat these delicacies but not feed the same to his dog, who in Shimon's eyes, is an equal member of his family.
But Reuven knows the halacha, as spelled out in Meseches Ta'anis 20b, and clarified nicely by Rashi:
Serving food to animals is degrading to the food and shows a lack of appreciation to Hashem, Who prepared the food for people to eat
It's a waste of money, since clearly the dog could survive with cheaper dog food, and the Torah is clear a Jew should not waste money (see Meseches Rosh Hashana 27a as well as reference in Mishna Berurah)
Reuven asked his Rav a shaila: is he allowed to serve Shimon at the restaurant, knowing that Shimon has erred in his approach to this halacha?
New case to bring us into Shabbos (if we don't resolve it today, we can complete it on Sunday):
Reuven owns a fleishig (meat) kosher restaurant. He has noticed that Shimon, who comes every few days for a meal, brings his prized pooch with him, and often feeds the dog a portion of his meal. Shimon couldn't imagine why he could eat these delicacies but not feed the same to his dog, who in Shimon's eyes, is an equal member of his family.
But Reuven knows the halacha, as spelled out in Meseches Ta'anis 20b, and clarified nicely by Rashi:
Serving food to animals is degrading to the food and shows a lack of appreciation to Hashem, Who prepared the food for people to eat
It's a waste of money, since clearly the dog could survive with cheaper dog food, and the Torah is clear a Jew should not waste money (see Meseches Rosh Hashana 27a as well as reference in Mishna Berurah)
Reuven asked his Rav a shaila: is he allowed to serve Shimon at the restaurant, knowing that Shimon has erred in his approach to this halacha?
As the human companion of an almost-human little dog (and a frequenter of the Bring Fido website https://www.bringfido.com), I'm on the pup's side in this one. But I'm still interested in the rabbi's ruling on Reuven's question. I have to say, though, that if a rabbi told me I couldn't pamper my fur-baby a little, I might be inclined to find another rabbi).
Even more so, if I were to hear that Reuven had gone to our rabbi to ask such a thing about me and my dog (and I figure it's my business how I choose to pamper my dog), he'd lose me as a customer pretty quick.
As the human companion of an almost-human little dog (and a frequenter of the Bring Fido website https://www.bringfido.com), I'm on the pup's side in this one. But I'm still interested in the rabbi's ruling on Reuven's question. I have to say, though, that if a rabbi told me I couldn't pamper my fur-baby a little, I might be inclined to find another rabbi).
Yeah, I figured this one could be a bit more emotional for some folks here. I'm a dog owner, too, so I get it. But hey, maybe this will come out as permissible.
Yeah, I figured this one could be a bit more emotional for some folks here. I'm a dog owner, too, so I get it. But hey, maybe this will come out as permissible.
You bet it's a bit more emotional! Hahaha!
I'm really looking forward to the answer to this one.
(And, I have to tell you, TFF, these halacha scenarios you're doing are intriguing! What a great contribution to the Judaism forum!)
Thanks Rachel. I figure as a forum, we can't go wrong if we're just discussing Torah.
To get this particular scenario going, I'll point out that all the poskim would agree Reuven has not committed an aveira by serving Shimon food. But could there be an issue of lifnei iver (placing a stumbling block in front of a blind man)?
I frequently wonder the same, when my non-religious parents come over for Friday night Shabbos dinner and frequently bolt out before bentching (saying prayers after the meal), which is a mitzva d'oirisa (from the Torah). Perhaps I'm transgressing lifnei iver as well? (and of course I know the answer to this question, as the poskim have spoken on exactly this case at length)
I gather from the link that the convicted were executed first, before being temporarily "hung up," right? I mean, Jews didn't nail living people to crosses or poles and leave them up to slowly die a tortured death, right?
Correct -- the hanging of the body was after the execution.
Thanks Rachel. I figure as a forum, we can't go wrong if we're just discussing Torah.
To get this particular scenario going, I'll point out that all the poskim would agree Reuven has not committed an aveira by serving Shimon food. But could there be an issue of lifnei iver (placing a stumbling block in front of a blind man)?
I frequently wonder the same, when my non-religious parents come over for Friday night Shabbos dinner and frequently bolt out before bentching (saying prayers after the meal), which is a mitzva d'oirisa (from the Torah). Perhaps I'm transgressing lifnei iver as well? (and of course I know the answer to this question, as the poskim have spoken on exactly this case at length)
So the poskim answer that it is not lifnei iver since Reuven is not actually supplying a forbidden item to Shimon.
Rav Moshe Feinstein wrote that one is allowed to rent out a wedding hall to an irreligious couple even if during the celebration the couple will likely be involved in activities that are not sanctioned by halacha. The halls owner is not providing any for bidden substance as the hall could be used for acceptable forms of celebration.
In our case, however, Reuven should not directly serve the dog. And he should explain the halacha to Shimon.
And finally, an exception to our case would be on erev Pesach, where if one has a great deal of chametz (leavened food forbidden on Passover to the Jew), he may feed it directly to his animal to show hakares hatov (gratitude) to the dogs who remained quiet when the Jews left mitzrayim (Egypt).
In our case, however, Reuven should not directly serve the dog. And he should explain the halacha to Shimon.
Okay, I can live with that. I wouldn't ask a hard-working wage-earner to personally serve my dog. That would be an outrageous request, and demeaning. Reuven can explain the halacha to somebody who would request such a thing of him – but it wouldn't be me. Just as long as I don't get any flak for taking a tidbit off my own plate and passing it to my little friend who'd be sitting adorably beside me (at outdoor eateries that allow dogs). Then everything is cool.
Sadly Reuven divorced his wife after a very brief marriage. At first she refused to except the divorce but only agreed when Reuven promised her that he would never for forsake her if she ever needed his assistance. Rubin quickly remarried and succeeded in building a warm Jewish home while his former wife remained single. Her health later deteriorated to the point that she needed an organ transplant. In light of his promise to her, is Reuven required to pay for her expensive operation? How far does his pledge to assist his ex-wife extend?
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