Mitzvah of Rebuke: Difference between revisions

# Someone who sees his friend who sinned, or who is walking in a bad path—it is a Mitzvah to return him to good, and to know that he is sinning in his evil ways, as it is written: “You shall surely rebuke your friend” <ref> Vayikra 19:17, Kitzur Shulchan Aruch 29:15 </ref>.

# Primarily, the biblical mitzvah of rebuke still applies nowadays. <ref> The Rambam in Sefer Hamitzvot (Asin 205) considers this a Biblical Mitzvah, and the Sefer HaChinuch (239) adds that it applies to all Jews for all times. </ref>.

# The mitzvah of rebuke does not apply to a person who has rejected the yoke of Torah or violates [[Shabbat]] in public. <ref> Bei’ur Halacha 608 s.v. Aval writes that the mitzvah of [[Tochacha]] doesn’t apply to a person who has totally rejected the yoke of Torah such as someone who violates [[Shabbat]] in public. The reason for this is that he is not included in the Torah’s description of “one’s fellow.” Aruch HaShulchan 608:7, Tzitz Eliezer 17:36, and Shevet HaLevi 1:205:608 agree. </ref>

# Just like any halachic inquiry should be brought to a qualified posek, questions regarding this mitzvah should certainly be brought to a qualified posek.<ref> The Gemara (Arachin 16b) learns from the end of the pasuk that it is forbidden to give rebuke if it will cause one to embarrass the one receiving rebuke. Thus, the Rambam (Dei’ot 6:7) and Sefer HaChinuch (239) rule that one should begin to give rebuke in a gentle tone, using soft words, and in private. Kitzur S”A 29:15 concurs. Rabbi Aryeh Lebowitz (The Mitzvah to Rebuke) points out that before giving anyone rebuke, one must be absolutely sure that the person actually did a sin and wasn’t simply following an acceptable posek or minhag. Thus, Rav Moshe Feinstein (Igrot Moshe EH 4:63) writes that just like any other halachic inquiry, questions regarding rebuke must be asked to a posek so as not to violate the serious prohibitions including ona’at devarim. </ref>  

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