Q. Do not put a stumbling block before the blind (Leviticus 19:14).

“Religious” relatives quoted the above as justification for not inviting their disabled grandfather to attend a simcha on shabbos as he would have to drive or be driven to get there. Would it not have been his decision to go or not to go instead of their decision not to invite him?

A. The prohibition of “Lifney Iver” or “Placing a stumbling block before the blind” is interpreted by our sages as: facilitating or helping others commit a Torah violation. (Talmud Avoda Zarah 6b) This prohibition is codified in Shulchan Aruch in several places such as Y.D. 148:5 pertaining the assisting of a Gentile in committing idolatry and in Y.D. 240:20 in regards to a father’s proscription of physically chastising older children, as this will only entice them to hit back, resulting in a capital offence. Tosafos, Ramban and Ran (ibid.) and other Poiskim, are of the opinion that this prohibition is limited to cases where the recipient is unable to transgress without the giver’s assistance. If, however, the idolater could reach the item independently, then one may hand it to him despite the certainty of the ensuing violation.

In your particular case, the grandfather could have made or ordered his own traveling arrangements and likely does not require the assistance of his family to do so, thus Lifnei Iver would not apply. However as Tosafos (Shabbos 3a) and Shach (Y.D.151:6) mention, there is a discrete rabbinical prohibition against helping one violate Mitzvos, called “mesayea lidvar aveiro” (“helping someone commit a sin”). Igrois Moishe (Y.D. 1,72) deals with the question of mesayea when someone would perform the transgression nonetheless.

Horav Shlomo Miller’s Shlit’a opinion is that indeed, in principle if the grandfather refuses the accommodations that would keep him from desecrating Shabbos, the grandchildren should avoid inviting him. However, since this case entails a delicate situation where kindness is essential, he recommends consulting privately with a competent halachik authority, as there may be other acceptable solutions.

Rabbi A. Bartfeld as revised by Horav Shlomo Miller Shlit”a

Please see on Frum Toronto – Ask the Rabbi’s next question, #208 Inviting Shabbos guests that may drive on Shabbos.