How to Merit Special Divine Favor? 10 Facts About the Commandment "Judge Your Fellow Favorably"

1. Neither Easy Nor Simply Pious Behavior: One of the positive commandments applicable at all times is "judge your fellow with righteousness" (Leviticus 19:15). According to many authorities, this commandment obligating us to judge everyone favorably is from the Torah. Rabbi Aryeh Genichovsky zt"l, head of the Tchebin Yeshiva, wrote about this commandment: "This mitzvah is neither simple nor easy, and it's not merely a pious practice, but an actual positive commandment."

2. Hashem's Desire for Advocates of 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 only seek 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 Bible, Hashem was particular with those who spoke negatively about Israel, despite their great righteousness. He mentions that Elijah the prophet was punished for criticizing Israel when he said: "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 about My children.

4. A Person's Words Arouse the Heavenly Court: The 'Pele Yoetz' continues to explain why Hashem desires positive speech about His children, and the explanation is astounding: "The reason is that whatever a person says creates an impression and arouses the heavenly court. If one speaks accusations, it arouses accusers, and if one speaks defense, it arouses defenders," writes the 'Pele Yoetz'.

5. How to Judge Sinners Favorably? The 'Pele Yoetz' addresses anyone who hears people speaking negatively about Israel, instructing them to respond with favorable judgment. "Tell him: 'What can a son do and not sin?! Poverty doesn't allow for good qualities, exile doesn't allow for good qualities, they mixed with nations and learned their ways, man's inclination is evil, they are forced, or the entire people are in error because they don't know what is forbidden and its severity.'"

6. An Excellent and Precious Quality That Increases Peace: Rabbi Tzvi Hirsch writes in the entry 'Favorable Judgment': "Judge every person favorably, for it is an excellent and precious quality, preventing quarrels and disputes, bringing peace to the land, and causing one to be judged favorably from heaven, having advocates and defenders in heaven who judge favorably, removing accusers who lose power to accuse, and increasing heavenly honor... and Hashem greatly desires this and shows special affection."

7. Be Especially Careful with Those in Distress and 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, God 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 addresses the deceased, instructing: "One must be especially careful not to mention the faults of those who dwell in the dust, who are standing in judgment."

8. A Father's Desire for Good Words About 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 advocate for his son, even if he doesn't follow the good path, and judge him favorably. Certainly if he hears someone accusing him, he will be angry... How much more so Hashem, who is good and does good to all, desires that people advocate for His children and always judge them favorably, and his reward is that he too will be judged favorably from heaven."

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 accusations against the Jewish people, and on the contrary, should accustom themselves to always arouse mercy and mention their merits, and because of this will be loved and cherished before Hashem, as we counted in Yoma (page 77) regarding Gabriel, when he stood outside the curtain and aroused the merits of Israel, Hashem responded: 'Who is this who advocates for My children? Bring him inside the curtain for this.'" The Talmud states that "whoever judges his fellow favorably, Hashem will judge him favorably." On this, the 'Chafetz Chaim' says: "You will see His kindness, for He desires kindness, and accepts every type of claim from one who advocates."

10. A Person Should Judge Himself Favorably, Despite It Being Little: "Likewise, a person needs to search and find a little good in himself and judge himself favorably, and through this he will truly rise to the side of merit and return in repentance because of this." (Likutei Moharan)

Rabbi Zamir Cohen in a short and fundamental lecture on the commandment "Judge your fellow with righteousness":