Rebuking Others to Enlighten Their Hearts

Rebuking Others to Enlighten Their Hearts

Rav Menachem Mendel of Vorka zy”a explains Rashi’s words by saying that while one sometimes has an obligation to rebuke his friend, it is only permitted to “crush” or hurt another Jew if it is done with intentions “for light”. In other words, one is only allowed to speak harshly to another Jew if he is doing so in order to illuminate the proper path for him. However, it is forbidden to hurt another Jew with intentions “to knock him down” (as the word “Minchah” can also mean to lay down.)

We learn from this that it is forbidden to cause any pain to another person unless one’s intention is to help him return to the proper way of life.