How and When to Judge Another

A Taste of Text—Shoftim

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How and When to Judge Another: A Taste of Text—Shoftim

There is always some explanation, some justification, some perspective for another’s behavior. If you cannot see it, you are not fit to be a judge.

Handouts:	Shoftim
Audio:	Listen to Audio \| Download this MP3
Topics:	Shoftim, Judging Others

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By Chana Weisberg

Chana Weisberg is the editor of TheJewishWoman.org and host of the Ordinary People, Extraordinary Stories podcast. She lectures internationally on issues relating to women, relationships, meaning, self-esteem and the Jewish soul. She is the author of six books. Her latest book, Shabbat Delights, is a two-volume series on the weekly Torah portion.

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7 Comments

Anonymous August 23, 2020

Hi Chana, thank you so much for the amazing class, it flew by! I hope you can answer my question, what if, your judgement of everyone and everything around falls to favour, meaning that while you can see the negative, you seem to lean towards or feel that their positives or reasons for being what they are, weigh greater, than the negative traits that they have, in a way that it actually might distort your vision..? I know that Torah always strives for truth and balance, yet, I can’t help but see all the good said person possesses or has done, and judge them that way. Since I am usually one of the few in doing so, they appreciate me, and befriend me, and then I feel an even greater positive pull towards them, in a way that, people who know me describe, creates a distorted circle; you judge others favour, because you really do see the goodness in them, and because of this, they befriend you, and are very nice to you, which pulls you even closer to them. My mother and sister say that this is very wrong, is that true? And if it is so, they say, that the only way to get out of this circle is, to judge them favourably only in your head, but, to mediate that with the rationale that anyone can change, and so long as their actions, the ways they live and conduct themselves, are not fixed properly, that judging them favourably visibly, should not occur. And neither should befriending them. But I’m confused....is it not so that only through befriending a person you see with potential, can you have an opportunity to bring it out of them? And if you see potential in everyone, is it really a danger to judge them all in favour? Reply

Samantha Leon August 16, 2015

I once heard that whether or not you get hired for a job depends on your potential boss's judgement of how you carry yourself Reply

Jane Sanders jacksonville, FL August 24, 2012

chana weisberg I can't begin to tell you how much I enjoy your thought-provoking discussions/lectures. Please keep your classes coming. I watch and listen to every one of them including related lectures. Reply

hadassa brooklyn, ny August 23, 2012

question to quote from the class :"No man is so utterly evil... there is always some explanation.... well what about hitler? Reply

hadassa brooklyn, ny August 23, 2012

question how should you approach judging a person who has commited a crime, like molestation? Reply

jenny abilene, texas August 19, 2012

how and when to judge another Thank you Chana i always learn so much from the gatherings around your table. Reply

John orange, tx August 19, 2012

Judgement The courts and judgment today. Which is backed by grecian philosophy. Are flaud. You cannot truly believe these things are from G-D. He gave a high priest. Everyone wanted judges. He gave judges. And all wanted to judge for themselves. He gave the Torah. and all wanted divine wisdom. And here we are today. With divinity which only comes from man not G-D..... Reply

A Taste of Text

Each 20-minute video class uses a text from the weekly Torah portion to convey a contemporary insight on leading a more enriched life. Source sheets are included to help students follow along and gain a "taste" of the actual texts studied.

How and When to Judge Another: A Taste of Text—Shoftim

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