Judging Favorably: 10 Important Facts to Know

1. A Torah commandment, just like observing Shabbat: One of the positive commandments applicable at all times is the mitzvah of "Judge your fellow with righteousness" (Leviticus 19:15), which obligates us to judge every person favorably and is considered a Torah commandment according to many authorities. Rabbi Avraham Genichovsky zt"l, Rosh Yeshiva of Tchebin, wrote regarding this mitzvah: "Indeed, this mitzvah is not simple and not among the easy ones, and it is not merely an attribute of piety, but an actual positive commandment."

2. Hashem's desire is that people advocate for His children: In Midrash Devarim Rabbah (Parashah 3, section 15): "Moses said before Him, 'Master of the Universe, I know that You love Your children, and You seek only someone who will advocate on their behalf.'"

3. Hashem is particular about those who speak negatively of Israel: The 'Pele Yoetz' notes that in several places in the Tanakh, Hashem was strict with those who spoke negatively about Israel, despite them being most righteous. He points out that Elijah the Prophet, of blessed memory, was punished for complaining about Israel saying: "I have been zealous for Hashem, God of Hosts, for the children of Israel have forsaken Your covenant." Even Isaiah the Prophet was punished for saying: "I dwell among a people of unclean lips," and Moses was punished for saying: "They will not believe me." In contrast, Gideon merited to lead Israel because he advocated for them, as it is written: "Go with this strength of yours and save Israel" – with the power of advocacy you taught for my children.

4. A person's words awaken the heavenly court: The 'Pele Yoetz' explains why Hashem desires that people speak favorably about His children, and the words are astounding: "The reason is that whatever a person speaks creates an impression and awakens the heavenly court. If one speaks negatively, it awakens accusers; if one speaks favorably, it awakens defenders."

5. How to judge favorably? The 'Pele Yoetz' addresses anyone who hears people speaking unfavorably about Israel, instructing them to respond with favorable judgment: "Tell him: 'What can a person do and not sin?! Poverty leaves no good trait intact, exile leaves no good trait intact, they mingled with the nations and learned their ways, the human heart is evil, and they are forced, or the entire nation sins unintentionally because they don't know what is forbidden and its severity.'"

6. A superior and precious trait that increases peace: Rabbi Tzvi Hirsch writes in the entry 'Favorable Judgment': "Judge every person favorably, for it is a superior and precious trait that prevents quarrels and disputes, brings peace to the land, and causes one to be judged favorably from heaven, having advocates and defenders in heaven who judge him favorably, removing accusers who have no power to accuse, and increasing the honor of Heaven... and the Holy One, blessed be He, desires this greatly and shows extra affection for such a person."

7. Be especially careful not to speak unfavorably about someone in distress or about the deceased: The 'Pele Yoetz' adds and expands that "one must be especially careful when a person is in distress to advocate for them and not mention their sins. One should be careful not to say, heaven forbid: 'This and that caused it, and therefore this trouble came upon him,' because it is known that Satan only accuses in times of danger." The 'Pele Yoetz' also refers to the deceased, instructing: "And one must be especially careful not to mention unfavorably those who dwell in the dust, as they are standing in judgment."

8. A father's desire that people speak well of his children: The author of 'Yesod V'shoresh Ha'avodah' compares Hashem to a father who loves his son, even when he sins. These are his words: "A father's desire is that people should always speak favorably about his son, even if he is not following a good path, and judge him favorably. And certainly if he hears someone speak unfavorably about him, he will be angry... all the more so with the Creator, blessed be His name, who is good and does good to all, and His desire is that people advocate for His children and always judge them favorably, and his reward is that from heaven they will also judge him favorably."

9. Hashem cherishes those who arouse mercy for Israel and mention their merits: The 'Chafetz Chaim' writes that "every person must be careful not to teach guilt about the Jewish people, and instead should accustom himself to always arouse mercy and mention their merits, and for this he will be loved and cherished before Hashem, as we find in Yoma (77) regarding Gabriel, when he stood outside the curtain and aroused the merit of Israel, Hashem replied: 'Who is this that advocates for my children? Bring him inside the curtain for this.'" The Talmud states that "whoever judges his fellow favorably will be judged favorably by Hashem." On this, the 'Chafetz Chaim' says: "And you will see His kindness, blessed be He, for He desires kindness, and accepts every kind of argument from one who advocates."

10. We must judge ourselves favorably as well: "So too must a person search and find in himself a little good and judge himself favorably, and through this he will truly rise to favorable judgment and return in repentance because of this." (Likutei Moharan)