No community start suggestion yet.
When may one violate a rabbinic prohibition to prevent another's transgression? Tosfos on Shabbos (שבת) 4a distinguishes between cases where the person has already acted versus where no transgression occurred yet. The analysis suggests that lifnei iver is violated only when the person actually transgresses, not merely when the opportunity is provided.
This shiur provides an in-depth analysis of Tosfos on Shabbos (שבת) 4a regarding the principle of saving someone from transgression. The Gemara (גמרא) discusses when one may violate a rabbinic prohibition to prevent another person from committing an issur. Tosfos draws a crucial distinction between two scenarios: in the case of ma'adin (putting something in), where the person has already performed the forbidden action, versus the case involving a chaver and an am ha'aretz with tevel, where no transgression has yet occurred. Rabbi Zweig explores Tosfos's reasoning that in the tevel case, since no issur has been committed yet, one may violate a rabbinic prohibition to save the person. However, in the ma'adin case, since the forbidden act has already been performed, there is no basis to violate even a rabbinic prohibition for such a person. This analysis leads to a fundamental question about the nature of lifnei iver - whether one violates this prohibition at the moment of giving the forbidden object or only when the recipient actually consumes it.
Looking for the full summary?
Full access is available to members of the TUF Alumni Association or the Yam Hagadol Foundation.
Already a member? Let the admin know!
Dedicate a Shiur in Gemara
L'ilui nishmas a loved one. In honor of a simcha or yahrzeit. As a zechus for a refuah sheleimah. Your dedication helps carry Rabbi Zweig's Torah to learners around the world.
Up Next in this Series
How can Shabbos observance atone for the idolatry of Enosh's generation? The Rambam's reading shows that generation sought God through physical intermediaries rather than direct connection. Proper Shabbos observance creates authentic divine experience that naturally displaces attraction to spiritual substitutes - like tasting real coffee exposes ersatz as meaningless.
Why does halacha forbid entering dangerous places if everything happens by Divine decree? The shiur examines the debate between Rashi and Tosfos on traveling at night, developing a fundamental distinction: Rashi holds one must avoid even deserved punishments that Hashem delays through mercy, while Tosfos holds the prohibition addresses self-inflicted harm through free will. This framework reveals how people rationalize self-destructive behavior as "hashgacha."
Why does the Gemara praise hospitality to scholars as a unique mitzvah rather than ordinary hachnasas orchim? The shiur distinguishes two mitzvahs: hachnasas orchim (providing for those in need) and connecting to talmidei chachamim (cleaving to God through scholars). Yisro's meal for the Jewish leaders wasn't charity—it was his way of bonding with those transformed by Torah, teaching that learning must fundamentally change who we are.
Shabbos 4a
Looking for the full transcript?
Full access is available to members of the TUF Alumni Association or the Yam Hagadol Foundation.
Already a member? Let the admin know!
Why does the Gemara say one Shabbos protects from Amalek while two Shabboses bring redemption? The shiur applies a principle from Kiddushin about repetition changing psychology: the first time doing anything is experimental, but the second demonstrates genuine desire. True Shabbos connection with Hashem requires moving beyond spiritual curiosity to authentic internalization.
