The Frame Game

The Mishna uses the phrase, "Judge Favorably."

Rabbi Salomon sounds like he recommends creating a frame where we cannot judge at all, but rather we blindly block out the bad, simple-mindedly frame in the good, and suspend judgement entirely.

"Judge favorably" is, in its plain meaning, seeing the whole picture clearly, then judging with focus on its positive aspects.

In the scene that you mentioned there is a strong chance that someone is shoplifting. This should be reported. The store is losing money. If it is done discretely and she is Innocent there will be no harm. SD

Yes, there are many situations where that is an excellent game to play - but not when a crime may have been committed! In the case described, I would suggest tapping the girl on the shoulder and quietly telling her what you saw and ask for an explanation. Her reactions should let you know if she was actually shop-lifting or not, and you can try to persuade her to return the object if she was. One can thus prevent a crime without "ratting" on the criminal - who may think twice the next time.

Now that's a gorgeous game!!

Cant wait to try this with my family! what a great way to train ourselves to think positive. and the effects flow over into everything...

Sorry Rabbi, you are usually right-on, but not with this one. There can never be a reframing of illegal/hazardous/negative behavior! This is why we are in the state we are in: " well, I'm sure there was a very good explanation for why they did what they did", no! Wrong is wrong and we need to finally stand by that.

There is an obligation though - not to cause others to judge you unfavorably if you can avoid it.
1. Thus in the theoretical scenario, the employee while still in her uniform should remove the item and bring it to the Employees Only area. There she should put it in her purse, etc.
2. Once or twice a year I bring a spoiled product back with the receipt. A managerial type person invariably will throw it out and if I want a replacement, (instead of a refund) he/she tells me to get another one from the new delivery and put it in my bag. What I do as I approach the area is hold up my receipt at shoulder level so that someone else could deduce that it was a replacement. It is not fool-proof but at least it is a good attempt.