[Avodah] Vayechi - Judge every person favorably

[Micha Berger]

Bekhol zos... Mamrim 3:3 limits condemntation of Tzeduqim and Baisusim to
the generations that created and joined the movement. It's the classical
source for invoking tinoq shenishba in relating to those who weren't
raised O. Also, the source for kiruv. And even if the person learns about
Rabbinates and Yahadus, a Qarai isn't accountable for not overturning
his upbringing.

The Mishneh leMelekh Hil' Malveh veLoveh 5:2 says shitas haRambam based
on Peirush haMishnayos (Chullin 1:1) would turn this ts"n status into
an issur of lending on ribis, a chiyuv on hashavas aveidah, should be
treated with compassion, etc... And our relevent snippet (MlM quoting PhM)
"ulemishkan bedivrei shalom", with aspirations of kiruv.

They aren't removed from "achikha", being very consistent with RAL's
statement that dan lekaf zekhus would apply, and thus we should assume
they mean well, want to serve G-d, but are very mistaken about what
He wants.

But you haven't justified your own opening remarks. You said RAL
isn't consistent with the Rambam. What does the Rambam say that is
inconsistent with the following quote?

    This idea has ramifications for our relations with secular Jews, as
    well as Reform and Conservative groups. Along with the justified and
    necessary opposition to their views, is it not proper that we refrain
    from rejecting outright the possibility that they are truly motivated
    "for the sake of Heaven"? Must we always insist on accusing all of
    them of acting out of personal interests, and viewing only ourselves
    as acting "for the sake of Heaven"? This approach is neither true
    nor healthy. "Judge every person favorably" (Avot 1:6).

I am also amazed that you can make such judgments in conflict with a RY
who is a real "Sinai" -- RYBS, an "oqeir harim", relied on him in shiur
-- without bothering to cite sources. You write, "That didn't change
how we were supposed to relate to them." Which is how? How DO Chazal
tell us to treat n-th generation minim? Where the Ba'al worshippers
in Eliyahu's day n-th generation? R' Saadia Gaon a generation after
Anan ben David founded the Qaraim, so in his day most Qaraim were first
generation. Not our topic. But where does the Rambam tell you to treat
Qaraim as reshaim? What you did was invite people to disagree with someone
far more learned than any of us with only a list of rhetorical questions
in "support".

Until RCH took your earlier post to further discussion, I didn't think
it worth rebutting, there was no meat on the bones to address.



BTW  the original Hebrew is at
<http://www.etzion.org.il/vbm/archive/15-sichot/12vayechi.rtf>,
but I don't see much difference between that and the English I
shared last time.

Tir'u baTov!
-Micha

-- 
Micha Berger             "The most prevalent illness of our generation is
micha at aishdas.org        excessive anxiety....  Emunah decreases anxiety:
http://www.aishdas.org   'The Almighty is my source of salvation;  I will
Fax: (270) 514-1507      trust and not be afraid.'" (Isa 12) -Shalhevesya