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Hi Rabbi. I heard that Judaism teaches to judge others favorably, which to me sounds similar to not really judging them at all. What does this principle mean and would you give me an example? Thanks!

Question
The other day, an acquaintance who is an annoying person who I don’t enjoy interacting with, asked me for the address and phone number of a dear friend who is a recent widow so she could send a condolence card. I told this acquaintance I would not give out my friend’s personal info without her permission. My plan was to first ask my friend for permission. But before that happened, the acquaintance became extremely furious at me and feels insulted. I later told my friend (the recent widow) what happened and she said she also considers this woman annoying. She says this woman has caused her lots of trouble in the past and she is glad I didn’t give out her contact info. Since this acquaintance feels insulted by me, am I required to ask her for forgiveness before Yom Kippur? Frankly, she is someone I’d rather not contact at all because she has a habit of bothering people, which I’ve known about for a long time and others apparently have too.

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Hi, I was in a restaurant the other day, and a person came up to me and told me I shouldn’t be eating there because it’s not kosher. What chutzpah! Shouldn’t he mind his own business? I was really taken aback.

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My mother is coming for a visit soon. She is anti-orthodox and does not dress tznius. At first this didn’t bother me, but as my girls are getting older, I think it would be a bad influence for them to see their grandmother dressed in this manner. They are at an age in which they will notice what she wears and want to imitate her, but they are still too young to understand or have this explained to them. I kindly asked my mother to dress tznius around her granddaughters. She then lost her temper and screamed about how disrespectful I am to demand that of her and that I should be ashamed of myself. My mother is already embarrassed by the fact that I became orthodox. She thinks I joined a cult and that I’m brainwashing her grandchildren. It’s been 12 years now and she still has not forgiven me for choosing this path.

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Dear Rabbi, A relative is showing interest in Jewish observance and has questions and issues (such as family) to work through. I would like to help but I do not know how. What advice do you have for me? Thank you so much!

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Someone told me a story that I’d heard before and I really didn’t want to waste my time hearing it again. But I didn’t want to offend the teller who was enjoying telling the story and decided to listen politely. Is that what Judaism teaches?

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My Jewish daughter and her non-Jewish husband are having a baby boy. We are planning a Bris. Their plan is to name the baby for the baby’s Jewish grandparents. Rabbi, our question is this: Is it acceptable to give a third name for a non-Jewish grandparent? We certainly want to be respectful to both sides of the family. Thank you very much.

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Dear Rabbi, I am aware during this month — and especially as we get closer to Rosh Hashana and Yom Kippur — we should try to fix any bad relationship with family or others. However, there is a person I just cannot bring myself to forgive. Can you help me out here? Thanks Rabbi!

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Dear Rabbi, I know we should try to fix any bad relationships with family or others. However, there is a person who I just can’t bring myself to forgive. Can you help me out here? Thanks.

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Hi Rabbi, how do I control my anger when I am deeply insulted in public? I know what I’d like to do, but — what does Judaism teach is the right thing to do? Thanks!