Q. Regarding the psak not to open the door for a mechallel Shabbos who carries, if one needs to enter or exit the shul and no other door is available, may one be lenient, or should one miss tefilla b'tzibur rather than open the door for this person?
A. On question 2293 we wrote: "The opinion of Horav Dovid Pam and Horav Aaron Miller Shlit'a, (Rabbonim at the Toronto Kollel), is that one should not open the door for someone carrying a bag and entering from a reshus horabim to a private domain, as he will likely transgress if not on a Biblical prohibition, at least on a Rabbinical one. And since the individual carrying cannot enter without the help provided, not only the prohibition of "mesayea" or helping someone commit a sin is activated, also the Biblical transgression of "lifnei iver" or placing a stumbling block in front of the blind, may be involved.
Our Sages teach that it is permitted to deviate occasionally from the strict truth, when it is done for the sake of maintaining the peace and avoiding conflict, offense and disputes. (Lishnos mipnei hashalom - Yebamos 65b). Therefore, when entering one may say that he just realized that has forgotten the right password, and when exiting he may show some sudden pain and just apologize and walk away. If then he cannot enter or exit by a different door, he should wait until that person is gone."
Horav Shlomo Miller's Shlit'a opinion is that although one should not provide any assistance to someone engaged in transgressing even a Rabbinical prohibition, if one will miss tefila betzibur by not entering, he may open the door for himself and enter slowly, thus the fellow carrying an object will unassisted gain the opportunity to enter after him on his own, and hold the door open himself.
The Rov indicated, that it is quite possible that the fellow carrying, may have already entered the reshus of the shul, if there are steps or a front fenced area facing the door, etc., and no prohibition is done now.
Rabbi A. Bartfeld as revised by Horav Shlomo Miller Shlit'a
Important Numbers
