07-19-2009, 08:39 PM
(This post was last modified: 07-19-2009, 09:05 PM by Director Michael.)
That's not necessary, since a Gentile is only responsible for his or her own transgressions.
But one is morally obligated to avoid knowingly causing another person to transgress. So you can think about how you can tactfully decline to do so in the future. For example, you could say (truthfully) that you might have been exposed to a cold virus, so you don't want to possibly transmit something by shaking hands. Or you could say that you observe the "mitzvah" that a Jew is only permitted to touch someone of the opposite gender if the person is his/her spouse or close relative, unless there is an overriding need (e.g. for the sake of caring for the person's health or saving the person from harm.)
But one is morally obligated to avoid knowingly causing another person to transgress. So you can think about how you can tactfully decline to do so in the future. For example, you could say (truthfully) that you might have been exposed to a cold virus, so you don't want to possibly transmit something by shaking hands. Or you could say that you observe the "mitzvah" that a Jew is only permitted to touch someone of the opposite gender if the person is his/her spouse or close relative, unless there is an overriding need (e.g. for the sake of caring for the person's health or saving the person from harm.)