Goodbye LeBron And Thanks For The Memories

Reb Yid: Rambam allows public embarrassment as the FIRST step in Hocheiach tochiach? Wouldn’t he have expected that the first step be to contact the person privately? (Perhaps Shock did so; I have no idea. But just in case, Reb Yid and Shock, here are the relevant halachos from Rambam De’os 6:7,8)

7. It is a mitzvah for a person who sees that his fellow Jew has sinned or is following an improper path [to attempt] to correct his behavior and to inform him that he is causing himself a loss by his evil deeds as [Leviticus 19:17] states: “You shall surely admonish your colleague.”

A person who rebukes a colleague – whether because of a [wrong committed] against him or because of a matter between his colleague and God – should rebuke him privately. He should speak to him patiently and gently, informing him that he is only making these statements for his colleague’s own welfare, to allow him to merit the life of the world to come.

If he accepts [the rebuke], it is good; if not, he should rebuke him a second and third time. Indeed, one is obligated to rebuke a colleague who does wrong until the latter strikes him and tells him: “I will not listen.”

Whoever has the possibility of rebuking [sinners] and fails to do so is considered responsible for that sin, for he had the opportunity to rebuke the [sinners].

8. At first, a person who admonishes a colleague should not speak to him harshly until he becomes embarrassed as [Leviticus 19:17] states: “[You should]… not bear a sin because of him.” This is what our Sages said: Should you rebuke him to the point that his face changes [color]? The Torah states: “[You should]… not bear a sin because of him.”

From this, [we learn that] it is forbidden for a person to embarrass a [fellow] Jew. How much more so [is it forbidden to embarrass him] in public. Even though a person who embarrasses a colleague is not [liable for] lashes on account of him, it is a great sin. Our Sages said: “A person who embarrasses a colleague in public does not have a share in the world to come.”

Therefore, a person should be careful not to embarrass a colleague – whether of great or lesser stature – in public, and not to call him a name which embarrasses him or to relate a matter that brings him shame in his presence.

When does the above apply? In regard to matters between one man and another. However, in regard to spiritual matters, if [a transgressor] does not repent [after being admonished] in private, he may be put to shame in public and his sin may be publicized. He may be subjected to abuse, scorn, and curses until he repents, as was the practice of all the prophets of Israel.