The Other Side of the Story - Giving People the Benefit of the Doubt

Become a Supporter Library Library

The Other Side of the Story - Giving People the Benefit of the Doubt

It's easy to judge others favorably, once you learn how. Until then, you may need a little...

"HELP"

"I can't believe it - this guy is elbowing his way through shul. Bad enough on a regular day, but on Rosh Hashanah! Look, he's actually pushing people out of his way to get to his seat. Okay, it is jammed and he's late - but he should have gotten here on time if davening with everyone is so important to him. It's a perfect example of "mitzva haba'a beaveira" (a mitzvah done by means of a wrongdoing). It's amazing how the people he's shoved out of the way just ignore him and continue praying - what concentration they have! At last he's at his place. I see him reaching into his book-and-tallis compartment and taking out ... an EMT box! He's an emergency medical technician, a Hatzalah volunteer, and he's rushing to his seat to get his box of medical equipment!"

Judaism teaches that people are innocent until proven guilty. If you assume that others are acting with the best of intentions, you will often find that you are absolutely right.


The Other Side of the Story Archives


Based on "The Other Side of the Story" by Mrs. Yehudis Samet, ArtScroll Series

Do you have a story to share?

Were you in a situation where there was the potential to misjudge a person, but there really was a valid explanation? Has a friend or a relative ever told you how they were in such a situation?

Share you stories with us for inclusion in future columns of The Other Side of the Story.

To submit your story, send it to [email protected]. (To insure proper handling, put "Other Side" in the subject line of your message).


Subscribe to The Other Side of the Story via PointCast


The Ohr Somayach Home Page is hosted by TeamGenesis
vj_bar.gif (1798 bytes)

Copyright © 1998 Ohr Somayach International. Send us feedback.
Ohr Somayach International is a 501c3 not-for-profit corporation (letter on file) EIN 13-3503155 and your donation is tax deductable.