[Avodah] Timtum HaLev

[Zvi Lampel]

Timtum HaLev

A factor to consider in this discussion:

The Drashos HaRan (#5, I think) writes (regarding the imperative to 
follow the Sages):

''We believe that everything the Torah warns us against is indeed 
harmful to us, and creates a negative imprint on our souls, even though 
we may not know the mechanics behind that process. Therefore, if the 
consensus of the Sages is that something [actually tamei] is tahor--so 
what? Won't it harm us and produce its natural effect, whatever it 
is?...How could the nature of that thing change itself just because if 
the Sages' consensus that it is permissable? This is imposssible short 
of a miracle.

(He answers that the spiritual gains in obeying the mitzva of following 
the Sages counteracts the harmful consequences of the rare instances 
where the Sages may be wrong.) The point relevant to this discussion is 
the Ran's presumption that anything forbidden (things or actions) 
carries direct spiritual damage regardless of intent. Also relevant, of 
course, is the role of innocent intent (if one may generalize from 
intent of following the Sages--maybe not?) of counteracting the damage.

Zvi Lampel