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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>. | ||
= = Punishment = = | |||
There are three opinions about whether someone who embarasses somone else receives the punishment of Malkos (lashes): | |||
# The Sefer HaChinuch says there is no punishment of malkos for [[embarrassing others]] <ref>Sefar chinook</ref> | |||
# The Mordechai does however demand malkos for embarrassment, and onat devarim (verbal oppression.) <ref>Bava Metzia 4:306 </ref> | |||
#The Chiddushei Anshei Shem approves malkos mardus, or unofficial malkos, issued by rabies which may actually be applied more severely. <ref> Chiddusei Anshei Shem</ref> | |||
Payment for damage done by embarrassing someone | |||
# The Talmud says that verbal harassment does not make a person responsible for monetary punishment. <ref>Bava Kama 91a</ref> | |||
# The Maharshal says that a person can choose choose to pay a fine to the victim, or [[charity]] (it’s debated which one) instead of taking lashes. <ref>Yam Shel Shlomo 8:49 </ref> | |||
Other Punishments in this world | |||
# Even though there is no punishment in Beit Din, the Sefer HaChinuch warns that God has other ways of punishing people in this world<ref> Sefer HaChinuch 240</ref> | |||
# “When one causes suffering to others, he is punished in Olam Hazeh too. Every person must pay attention to what he does and what he says so as not to hurt his fellow man. The truth is that the punishment is much worse in Olam Habo, but most people are not aroused by what they can’t see directly, so I am speaking about something that everyone understands well.”<ref>Reb Aharon Leib Shteinman as quoted in http://www.torahlab.org/community/article/why_so_much_suffering/</ref> | |||
Punishment in the World to Come | |||
# The gemara says all who descend into Gehenna (hell) eventually leave. Except for one who publicly shames his neighbour. <ref>R. Hanina in Bava Metziah 58b</ref> | |||
= = Atoning for Embarrassment = = | = = 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>: | 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>: | ||
