Lifnei Iver and Non-Jews

QUESTION: Does the prohibition of lifnei iver apply to causing a non-Jew to sin?

ANSWER: Yes. Shulchan Aruch (YD 151:1; based on Avoda Zara 14a) writes that it is forbidden to sell to an idol worshipper items that are commonly used in the service of idolatry, as this would be a violation of lifnei iver. However, one may sell him these items in large quantities, since it is then apparent that the purchase is being made for resale and not for personal use. The Gemara explains that this is permitted even though it is obvious that these items will be resold to others who will use them for idol worship. This is because the Torah only forbids “lifnei iver” (causing a sin) and not lifnei d’lifnei (enabling one person to enable another to sin). Since a non-Jew does not himself have the prohibition of lifnei iver, there is no prohibition to enable him to sell these items to others. However, one may not sell forbidden items to a Jew even if you know he will sell them to non-Jews. This is because by selling him these items, you are directly transgressing lifnei iver since the Jewish buyer will violate lifnei iver when he sells these objects to other Jews. (See Tosfos, Avoda Zara 15b s.v. Oveid.)

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