QUESTION: Unfortunately, there are times when we may see an unsettling phenomenon. We see people who are generally Shomrei Mitzvos (observe the commandments) and learned in Torah, yet they have children who go off the Derech (become irreligious) when they grow up. Can you explain why this may happen?
ANSWER: Rav Menachem Mendel of Rimanov (the, “Rimanover Rebee”) is cited by Rabbi Mordechai Leifer in his Pisgamei Oraisah (p.97) to answer this question. He explains that just like non-Kosher food is MeTamtem HaLaiv – that eating non-Kosher renders a person less intelligent in Torah study (see Tractate Yuma 39a), the same is true with eating all prohibited foods (e.g. food cooked on Shabbos according to many). The Rimanover Rebbe extends this idea of “non-Kosher” foods to also refer to foods that were purchased with money obtained dishonestly or by illicit means. Since the child is eating food purchased with prohibited funds, the food is “non-Kosher” and has a detrimental effect upon the spiritual development of the child which could lead the child to go off the Derech.
