Dear Rabbi:
I am perplexed at the concept as set forth in R' Feldman's point by point summary: <<(k) Answer: If one had children and lost them, this is an affliction of love (the mourning atones for him).>>
Would you say this atonement is guaranteed, in similar fashion to "if a master knocks out the eye...? Or is it conditional, i.e. that the mourning process has within it the potential to motivate one to do teshuvah? For example, does atonement apply in the case where the bereaved decides to become a non-believer (e.g. Elisha Ben Avuya in BT Kidushin 9)?
Hershel
New Jersey USA
Hershel Teaman, New Jersey, USA
You will no doubt, recall, that on Amud Alef (on the previous page) that in order to be classified as 'an affliction of love' a. one has to be basically without sin, and b. it must not cause Bitul Torah or Bitul Tefilah. It seems to me that, under such circumstances, the chances of becoming a non-believer as a result are remote indeed.
R. Eliezer Chrysler