Reply To: Question for FuturePotus ❓

WTP – I apologize for the fact that I have not yet had an opportunity to respond to all of your questions/comments.

Regarding the tochacha issue, you wrote:
“Elsewhere on these boards people have pretty much come to the conclusion that tochacha can only be given if the person knows that his words will be heard…”

“The commandment הוכח תוביח את עמיתך “You shall reprove your fellow”, requires a Jew to inform a sinner that his behavior is improper, and attempt to convince him to mend his ways. In voicing his disapproval, one must be prepared to endure embarrrassment and insult and should continue to voice his disapproval SO LONG AS THE FORBIDDEN ACT IS BEING REPEATED. EVEN IF ONE SEES LITTLE OR NO CHANCE THAT HIS WORDS WILL BE HEEDED, HE MUST NEVERTHELESS CONTINUE TO PROTEST.” (“Chofetz Chaim, A Lesson A Day” by Rabbi Shimon Finkelman & Rabbi Yitzchak Berkowitz, Day 93).

(emphasis mine. Please note that one is halachically obligated to protest as long as the act is being repeated even if there is NO chance that your words will be heeded. If something is still online, it is still being repeated and everyone who saw it is obligated to continue to protest until it is removed. In any case, I don’t think there is NO chance here, and I think that if enough people protest, something will be done.)

(There is more to say about the tochacha issue, but this post is long enough).