Daf Yomi, Marriage Counseling, Psychotherapy, Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, Torah and Psychology
Our Gemara on Amud Aleph considers the permissibility or prohibition of certain foods or objects that were used for a sin — for example, according to one peshat in Rashi, the mother bird that was not sent away from the nest in violation of the commandment. The Gemara reasons that since there is still a command to send the bird away, how could the Torah send something forbidden out into the world? Even if it could be ruled as lost in the majority, it apparently is improper to set up a situation of possible violation. It is, at least in spirit, a violation of lifnei iver, placing a stumbling block in front of a person.
Related to this requirement, Kli Chemdah (Vayetze) raises a question: how could Yaakov have made a mizbeach out of the stone, especially as this was destined to become a site for the Temple, as described in Bereishis (28:11, 17, 18 and 22)? He tries to make a distinction that Yaakov did not actually declare it to have the sanctity of the vessels in the Temple.
I have a different thought about this. Yaakov’s point was to sanctify this location to be a place of prayer and dedication to God. That’s not necessarily considered putting a stumbling block in front of people and causing others to sin. Quite the contrary, he wanted it to be a rally point. While technically, there may be those who would not respect the sanctity of the place, or it might end up becoming overrun, we can say the same thing about our Temples that were destroyed. There are those who ask a similar question regarding the stones that had the Torah written in all the languages (Devarim 27:8) — how could this be left as a stumbling block for people to study Torah when it is forbidden, unless for the purpose of conversion (Sanhedrin 59a)? But according to a similar line of thinking, I don’t see why this would be considered as causing others to sin. The main idea is to publicize the Torah so that many will be inspired. If somehow others become affected improperly, that’s not the main concern or intention. That is different than simply freeing a bird with no direct benefit other than the ritual itself.
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Translations Courtesy of Sefaria, except when, sometimes, I disagree with the translation
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Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, LCSW-R, LMFT, DHL is a psychotherapist who works with high conflict couples and families. He can be reached via email at simchafeuerman@gmail.com