[Avodah] Shabbos invite and using eruv

[Micha Berger]

On Tue, May 10, 2011 at 11:27:26AM -0400, Prof. Levine wrote:
> Chabad has a practice of running programs on Shabbos in which they know 
> that people will violate Shabbos to attend them.  Now they may offer 
> housing for those who opt for it, but a very large percentage of 
> non-religious people do not.  See  
> http://www.lubavitch.com/top.html?ixobject=2019068 for one example.

And they are far from alone -- NJOP, many of the kiruv kollels... Or
this tidbit from JEMSEM (JErusalem SEMinary connection)
http://www.jemsem.org/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=317&Itemid=54

    Cheshvan 5771
    Inviting Someone Who Will Drive on Shabbos
    Rabbi Aaron Tendler
    ...
    This issue has been addressed by many of the greatest Poskim
    of our generation, including Rav Moshe Feinstein and Rav Shlomo
    Zalman Auerbach Zichronom Livrocha, and Yibadel L'Chaim, Rav Moshe
    Shternbuch, Shlit"a, as well as others. The Issur of Lifnei Iver is
    when you are tempting or encouraging them to do something that they
    must transgress an Isur to do. If they don't have to transgress an
    Issur to do what you are asking or tempting them to do, but choose
    to do so, there is no Lifnei Iver.

    ... Therefore, if the invitation included an offer to accommodate
    them for the whole Shabbos, even if there is a high probability that
    they would decline and drive on Shabbos, it is Muttar and proper to
    invite them. To the best of my knowledge, this is is what most Kiruv
    organizations do when planning a Shabbos event. They will write on
    the flier or invitation that "Shabbos accommodations are available",
    thereby bypassing any potential problem of Lifnei Iver.

 From <http://jemsem.org/whos-who>, so that you know the author isn't L
(nor borderline C):
    Rabbi Aaron Tendler serves on the faculties of Yeshivas Ner Yisroel
    and Maalot Seminary in Baltimore, MD. He also is the Rabbi of the
    Etz Chaim Center for Jewish Living and Learning in Owings Mills, MD.

Tir'u baTov!
-Micha

-- 
Micha Berger             Today is the 21st day, which is
micha at aishdas.org        3 weeks in/toward the omer.
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Fax: (270) 514-1507                             factor in harmony?