[Avodah] Rabbi not answering a question

[Akiva Miller]

.
R' Joel Rich asked:

> Question about a statement made in a shiur that there were some
> questions that a rabbi shouldn’t answer but let the person do
> as they will. I wasn't clear as to whether that was based on
> the thought that the person would not listen or some other basis.
> What I would want to understand is if someone comes in asking for
> a psak why is it preferable not to tell him what we understand
> God's will to be?

I too wonder why someone would withhold knowledge of the Ratzon Hashem from
someone who came seeking it. Ideally, this question should be posed to the
person who made that statement, not to us.

But since you *are* asking us, the answer that first comes to my mind is as
you suggested, if there is a reasonable fear that the questioner might not
be able to comply with the Ratzon Hashem, it is better for his actions to
be shogeg than deliberate.

Upon further thinking... There is also a concept in Torah of "ayn m'galim
elah l'tzinuim", certain things are not revealed except to those of a
certain caliber. This seems to be very close to the situation RJR is
describing. My understanding of this concept is that certain halachos are
too easily misunderstood and/or misapplied by ordinary folk, and the rabbi
must be careful with what he says and how he says it. As it is said,
"First, do no harm."

Akiva Miller
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