The Power of Judging Favorably

ב"ה

בְּצֶדֶק תִּשְׁפֹּט עֲמִיתֶךָ (ויקרא יט, טו)

You shall judge your fellow with righteousness. (Vayikra 19:15)

 

The Power of Judging Favorably

This verse commands us to judge people justly and righteously. Rashi suggests an additional interpretation: "Judge your friend toward the scale of merit," meaning, judge others favorably.

Generally, "judging toward the scale of merit" refers to presuming a person's innocence before passing judgment (see Talmud, Shabbos 127b). Even if their conduct seems wrongful, consider the innocent or even virtuous intentions that may have motivated their behavior.

The Tanya (chapter 30), however, takes this a step further and says that even when you are certain that your friend has acted sinfully, you should not rush to condemn him. Rather, you should consider the difficult circumstances that may have led him to act in this manner, in light of which you can regard his behavior more forgivingly.

Although the scenario addressed by the Tanya differs from the classic case of judging favorably, (for in this instance you must concede that your fellow is indeed guilty,) by following the Tanya's approach and acknowledging his spiritually challenging circumstances, you not only diminish his degree of fault, you also "judge him toward the scale of merit" quite literally—you make him more meritorious. This is because G-d certainly grants every person the necessary strength to overcome his set of challenges (see Bamidbar Rabbah 12:3), and by identifying and acknowledging another's struggle, we reveal the unique gifts and strengths he can use to battle and overcome those challenges. In this way, we tip him "toward the scale of merit," and bring out the best in him.

This idea is hinted at by the Rambam, who writes that a wise person "Judges every person toward the scale of merit, he speaks of his fellow's praise, and never of his shame." Upon recognizing someone's struggles, the wise man identifies and speaks about the unique strengths that that person has obviously been granted by G-d, thereby ensuring that ultimately there will be nothing shameful to say about that person at all.

—Likutei Sichos, vol. 27, pp. 164-165