“Be-tzedek tishpot amitekha” – Judging Others Favorably
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Question
Questions regarding the mitzvah of judging favorably (ladun lekhaf zekhut):
- I would be glad for sources -
1. A Jew who knows the entire Torah, but does not engage in working on his character traits – is there an obligation to judge him favorably when there is a question about him in matters of character traits? I ask because the Rambam on Avot 1:6 writes: "a tzaddik who is famous for his good deeds".
2. Is there an obligation to judge favorably that the act he did was a good act, or is it enough to judge favorably that "he certainly repented", in the language of the Rambam in Berachot?
3. A person who is known as beinoni (average) in his overall deeds, but is presumed to be lacking in a particular trait – is there an obligation to judge him favorably when there is a question about him in regard to that specific trait?
- I would be glad for sources -
1. A Jew who knows the entire Torah, but does not engage in working on his character traits – is there an obligation to judge him favorably when there is a question about him in matters of character traits? I ask because the Rambam on Avot 1:6 writes: "a tzaddik who is famous for his good deeds".
2. Is there an obligation to judge favorably that the act he did was a good act, or is it enough to judge favorably that "he certainly repented", in the language of the Rambam in Berachot?
3. A person who is known as beinoni (average) in his overall deeds, but is presumed to be lacking in a particular trait – is there an obligation to judge him favorably when there is a question about him in regard to that specific trait?
Answer
Shalom u-vracha
1. There is no distinction as to what exactly he is positively reputed for.
2. One should judge that he acted properly and did not sin.
3. If it is known that in this matter he sins, then in this respect he is not "beinoni" but is regarded as established in sin.
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