Judging Others Favorably #188
Shlomo Singer was a pensioner looking for some worthwhile way to use his spare time. He decided to devote himself to helping out new immigrants. Since he was very handy, he offered them his household repair services free of charge. Not only did he give his time on a volunteer basis, he even supplied these newcomers with the raw materials necessary for the various jobs he undertook.
This went on for years. His neighbors got wind of his benevolence and as a result, he was interviewed by a local radio station. The interview took place in his home.
The next day, his family and friends gathered around and hung on to every word as they listened to the interview being broadcast. “And how did you get involved in this?” the announcer’s voice was heard asking Mr. Singer, who explained patiently how the idea had come to him.
After sharing interesting stories of incidents that happened over the years, Mr. Singer was asked, “And how do the people react to what you do for them?”
There was a pause. “They really don’t care,” was Mr. Singer’s surprising response.
All the people in the room listening raised their eyebrows as Mr. Singer sat dumbfounded. At the end of the broadcast, one of the relatives turned to him and said, “Shlomo, don’t the people appreciate what you do for them?”
“They certainly do!”
“So why did you say they don’t really care?”
“I’m telling you I never said it. These people can’t do enough for me. They’re always giving me presents, also for my wife and children. They thank me for even the smallest of favors.”
Yet it was hard to deny. They all – himself included – had heard him say it. What could have gone wrong? he wondered. How could he have maligned those good people with whom he had developed such a strong mutual affection?
Then he remembered something the interviewer had mentioned to him before he left: “We have only a twenty-minute slot and this interview is much longer, so we’ll have to splice part of what you said.” (The Other Side of the Story by Mrs. Yehudis Samet, published by ArtScroll)
Reprinted from the Parshas Behaaloscha 5782 email of The Weekly Vort.