Written Corruption

“If your brother, the son of your mother, entices you, do not yield to him or listen to him,” (Devarim 13, 7-9).

The Chofetz Chaim told a story illustrating the severity of the negative influence found in corrupt literature. Such writings must be kept far away where they are unable to manipulate Jewish minds. A peddler of religious articles, Tovia, entered the study hall of HaGaon HaRav Chaim Leib Mishkovsky, zt"l, (nifter 1898), the rabbi of Stawiski, Poland. These merchants customarily travelled between cities and villages offering their merchandise on the public market. When the vendors came upon a Jewish town, they would head to the local shul at davening times and spread their goods along the table generally stationed at the edge of the sanctuary near the stove heater. This allowed mitpallelim (congregants) to transact at the conclusion of the prayer.

When Tovia arrived at a synagogue, he would display prayer books, tefillin, mezuzot, and other religious items. On one occasion, Rav Chaim Leib approached the table of goods, and his gaze fell upon a bundle of secular books that were known to be heretical. The esteemed rav, who was firm in his positions and quick in his actions, did not hesitate even for a moment and hurried to fulfill the commandment “and you shall burn the evil from your midst,” (Devarim 13 6). The Torah luminary grabbed the satchel of books and hastily chucked them into the burning stove heater!

Perplexed, the merchant began to quarrel with the sage, “Rabbi, you have caused me a great financial loss, precisely three rubles, besides depriving me of my livelihood! How can I support my family with the meager pennies I earn from selling a solitary mezuzah or a bundle of tzitzit?" Tovia explained further, "My financial reliance and the crux of my livelihood is based mainly on the sale of such printed works!” cried Tovia. In a hushed tone, Rav Chaim Leib replied that he would personally pay for the books he had destroyed. However, the saintly rabbi stated that regarding the livelihood of his family, no one is allowed to immerse themselves in the trade of unorthodox publishing. Rav Chaim Leib declared that Tovia must seek a new source of income and pledged to assist in the job search.

Pleased and thankful that the gadol was serious about assisting in discovering fresh employment that would support his family with dignity, Tovia and Rav Chaim Leib agreed to meet the following morning after Shacharit. So, the next day, immediately after Tovia approached the rabbi who informed him of a recent revelation. “Moments ago,” began the rav, “I asked the gabbai (shul attendant) to invite the priest to my house. With his help, I hope to allocate a reputable position for you to be gainfully working.” Mystified, Tovia questioned, “How… can I be helped by a priest?!” “It’s simple,” Rav Chaim Leib responded. “Last week, the non-Jew who rang the church bells every morning passed away. If a replacement has not yet been appointed, I will ask the priest to offer you this opportunity. In turn, you will be able to earn a respectable living.” Startled, Tovia inquired, “Does the rav think that in my old age I will become an assistant to the priest for idolatry?!”

“Think for yourself exactly what you are saying!” Rav Chaim Leib exclaimed. “To ring the bells to wake up the non-Jews to head to their house of worship is a reason for hesitation? Yet, by selling these sacrilegious texts to unsuspecting Jewish youth, you will essentially be encouraging idolatry!” The question lingers if it is permissible for a Jew to engage in such dealings.

There is a profound moral lesson in the above scenario. Sometimes we are tempted to transact in ways contrary to Jewish laws and ethics. Alternatively, a Jew must remember that no livelihood is worth the deterioration of society and certainly not worth the possible exploitation of holy Jewish neshamot.

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Rabbi Leeor Dahan, a graduate of Yeshiva Chofetz Chaim/RSA, is well versed in aspects of halachah and has written commentary on the Mishnah Berurah, and Shulchan Aruch. Rabbi Dahan encourages his congregants at Kehilat Avodat Hashem in Hillcrest, Queens to find time in their day for the study of Torah and associated halachic customs.