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Embarrassing Others: Difference between revisions

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Second, there is a specific prohibition not to embarrass that is derived from the Mitzvah of rebuking others. The Torah commands “You shall surely rebuke your friend<ref> Vayikra 19:17. </ref>.” However,  the end of the verse: “and you shall not bear iniquity because of him” warns us not to allow the fulfillment of this commandment to simultaneously cause a transgression of humiliating another. The prohibition against embarrassing in this specific case creates a general prohibition against embarrassing another in any situation <ref> Sefer HaChinuch 240 based on Sifra </ref>.
Second, there is a specific prohibition not to embarrass that is derived from the Mitzvah of rebuking others. The Torah commands “You shall surely rebuke your friend<ref> Vayikra 19:17. </ref>.” However,  the end of the verse: “and you shall not bear iniquity because of him” warns us not to allow the fulfillment of this commandment to simultaneously cause a transgression of humiliating another. The prohibition against embarrassing in this specific case creates a general prohibition against embarrassing another in any situation <ref> Sefer HaChinuch 240 based on Sifra </ref>.
In addition to violating the above prohibitions, anyone who embrasses another is also failing to fulfil the Mitzvah of V’ahavta L’reach Kamocha <ref> Vayikra 19:18. </ref>.  
In addition to violating the above prohibitions, anyone who embrasses another is also failing to fulfil the Mitzvah of V’ahavta L’reach Kamocha <ref> Vayikra 19:18. </ref>.  
= = Atoning for Embarrassment = =
In order to achieve full repentance for sinning, one must undergo a complex process of asking for forgiveness. The steps of the process include<ref> Rambam, Hilchot Teshuva  Chapter 1</ ref>:
# First acknowledging, then regretting one’s sin. # Privately confessing the transgression to God.
# Devoting oneself to not committing a similar transgression in the future.
# Make amends with the person you have transgressed against.
# Ask for absolute forgiveness from the one you offended, and from God.
Before examining the steps specific to atoning for embarrassment, we must assess whether or not it is even possible to do Teshuva:
# According to the Gemara, one embarrasses another publicly descends to Hell and never ascends<ref>Bava Metiza 58b </ref>. This seems to imply that the punishment is final with no chance for Teshuva.
# However, Tosafot explain that the Gemara is only talking about if you didn’t do Teshuva, because Teshuva helps for everything. <ref>Bava Metiza 58b </ref>
# The Midrash, on the other hand, says that embarrassing one in public cannot be absolved by Teshuva <ref> Otzar HaMidrashim pg. 505 </ref>.
# Rabbeinu Yonah explains that the reason we say you are condemned to Hell for eternity is not because Teshuva does not work if you do it, but it’s because it’s highly unlikely that one would actually do Teshuva for embarrassing someone. The reason being that we often rationalize [[embarrassing others]], or we simply fail to acknowledge the damage it causes. <ref> Shaarei Teshuva 3:141</ref>
While the steps enumerated above are the standard steps of completing Teshuva, there are specific steps required to atone for embarrassment:
# You must try to appease your friend at an opportune time, or until he agrees to listen to you. You must then feel you friend’s pain in your heart and resolve not to embarrass others. Finally, if one embarrasses you in the future, you should not feel upset, rather you should view it as fair. <ref> Sefer Chassidim 54</ref>
# One should give gifts to the person they oppressed as a means of making amends. One should give [[Mishloach Manot]] to the person on [[Purim]], or confront them before [[Yom Kippur]] when they’re more likely to listen. One may also have friends help him lay the groundwork for his apology. <ref> Reuven, Rabbi Nitzan Kitzur Hilchot Smirat HaLashon</ref>
# “If the humiliation took place in the presence of others, make your apology in their presence, as well as in private. Otherwise the victim has the right to say, “You shamed me in front of others, and now you want to apologize in private. Bring me all the people who heard you embarrass me, and then I will accept your apology.” <ref> Yalkout Shimoni, Hosea 14 </ref>
==Sources==
==Sources==
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