Reply To: Respecting People: A Rant

Philosopher:

Ok. To summarize, I made two points.

A. We do not have the ability to judge others nisyonos.

B. Our feelings of disrespect towards those we feel act wrongly are likely not based on kinaas hashem but our own faults. I strengthened this by observing the manner in which many of us fail in our basic relationships.

You seem to dispute both points.

Regarding the first, you seem to be willing to judge. You seem to think that anyone who does not live in accordance with halacha is therefore a rasha and you cannot imagine any extenuating circumstances. (I grant you did not mean to include a tinok shenishba.) You point to your own upbringing which you managed to overcome. In a different thread you refer to your “being constantly criticized and forced into a certain mold”.

I am very glad you were able to overcome your difficulties. Perhaps that is why you are so not understanding of anyone who is not. Even your own childhood friend with whom you struggled together.

Regarding my second point you say:

<*em> “Is it really probable that when we disrespect a rasha it is because we are standing up for Hashem’s honor?”

“I can’t speak for others, but in my case, yes” <*/em>

I see.