We previously mentioned it would have been thought one would give up his life rather than flatter a wicked person because it appears as if he's falsifying by approving of this person. However there are two types of flattery: condoning the actual forbidden act and giving honor to the person. In the former scenario one would in fact be required to give up his life, in the latter he just implies his actions are allowed that which indirectly condones the prohibition would not require one to give up his life. This responsum was in the context of honoring a questionable person for a dinner, in which case he concludes that since everyone knows honoring the person does not condone his personal life it would be permissible, although perhaps not ideal.

Please send any feedback for any of the episodes to [email protected]