“Rabbi Elazar of Modin said, one who desecrates sacred objects, one who disgraces the festivals, one who shames his fellow in public, one who annuls the covenant of our forefather Abraham, or one who interprets the Torah not according to Jewish law — even if he has Torah [study] and good deeds, he has no share in the World to Come.” Pirkei Avot 3:15
I have always loved watching this video. Not just because of the humor. But, if you watch closely at time code 0.25 Annie Potts finds herself in a dilema. Shelly Winters has obviously forgotten working with Annie Potts in a movie. Ms. Potts is trying very hard not to embarrass Ms. Winters, but eventually is given permission to help her remember. What a difference this is from our culture!
It seems that we strive in our culture to embarass people at every possible juncture. But, this is wrong, not only according to the Ethics of the Father quoted above, but by the prinicples of God. Each human is made in the image of God and so as we act and react to each other we should act and react as if we were in the presence of God. When we dishonor or shame our fellow we are showing who we really are as the people of God.
Let us remember to strive to build each other up and not tear each other down in embarassment.
