- Q. See question above. How can we listen to a Bar Mitzva drasha of visiting Rabbis when the praises that they are telling about the Bar Mitzva boy, are so far away from the reality of him?
A. The Talmud (Arachin 16a) teaches that one should not tell his fellow's praises when this can lead to his fellow's embarrassment. תני רב דימי אחוה דרב ספרא: לעולם אל יספר אדם בטובתו של חבירו, שמתוך טובתו בא לידי" רעתו.” R. Dimi, brother of R. Safra, teaches: Let no man ever talk in praise of his friend, since [talking in] his praise he may cause others to disparage him. (Soncino Trans.)
Rambam quotes this in Hilkhos Deos (7: 5) as applying specifically to speaking someone's praise in the presence of his enemies. The Meiri writes this in Hibbur HaTeshuvah (Meshiv Nefesh I:4 ed. Sofer p. 97)
Rabbi A. Bartfeld as revised by, Horav Yaakov Hirschman, Horav Dovid Pam, Horav Aharon Miller, Horav Chanoch Ehrentreu and Horav Kalman Ochs Shlit’a.
Important Numbers
