[Avodah] Vayechi - Judge every person favorably

[Zev Sero]

On 10/01/2012 7:36 PM, Micha Berger wrote:
> 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).

The Rambam famously fought against the Karaim.  He did not recognise
them as equals in any sense; as being "leshem shamayim" and worthy of
respect.   All he said was that it's not their fault that they're so
wrong, and if they want to come back they should be welcomed.

-- 
Zev Sero        "Natural resources are not finite in any meaningful
zev at sero.name    economic sense, mind-boggling though this assertion
                  may be. The stocks of them are not fixed but rather
		 are expanding through human ingenuity."
		                            - Julian Simon