Responsa for Shevuot 59:14

רב עולא בריה דרב עילאי הוה ליה דינא קמיה דרב נחמן שלח ליה רב יוסף עולא חברנו עמית בתורה ובמצות אמר למאי שלח לי לחנופי ליה הדר אמר למישרא בתיגריה

One should not stand, and the other sit; one speak all that he wishes, and the other bidden to be brief. Our Rabbis taught: In righteousness shalt thou judge thy neighbour:<span class="x" onmousemove="('comment',' Lev. XIX, 15.');">²³</span> that one should not sit, and the other stand; one speak all that he wishes, and the other bidden to be brief. Another interpretation: In righteousness shalt thou judge thy neighbour: judge thy neighbour in the scale of merit.<span class="x" onmousemove="('comment',' When you see a person doing what appears to be wrong, take a favourable view of his action. l,hng l,t og');">²⁴</span> R'Joseph learnt: In righteousness shalt thou judge thy neighbour- he who is with thee<span class="x" onmousemove="('comment',' Taking as .');">²⁵</span> in Torah and precepts - endeavour to judge him favourably. R'Ulla the son of R'Elai had a case before R'Nahman. R'Joseph sent [a message] to him:<span class="x" onmousemove="('comment',' R. Nahman.');">²⁶</span> Our friend Ulla is a neighbour<span class="x" onmousemove="('comment',' A colleague, of your fraternity; i.e., a learned man.');">²⁷</span> in Torah and precepts. Said [R'Nahman]: Why did he send [this message] to me? That I should favour him?<span class="x" onmousemove="('comment',' Surely, that cannot be!');">²⁸</span> Then he said: [Probably] that I should settle his case first;<span class="x" onmousemove="('comment',' Before any other case that may come before me, and not keep him waiting.');">²⁹</span>

Explore responsa for Shevuot 59:14. In-depth commentary and analysis from classical Jewish sources.