The Proper Method of Giving Criticism: Speaking from Pain, Not Judgment

Rabbi Zweig addresses the mitzvah (מצוה) of tochacha (criticism), which he notes is one of the most commonly practiced mitzvos—usually with "great kavanah" but profound misunderstanding. The shiur centers on Parshas Vayigash, when Yosef reveals himself to his brothers with the words, "I am Yosef. Is my father still alive?" The Midrash comments that when Yosef, the youngest brother, criticized the brothers, they were completely overcome and could not answer. The Midrash extends this: just as the brothers couldn't respond to Yosef's criticism, and just as Bilam couldn't answer his donkey's rebuke, how much more so will we be unable to answer God's criticism on the Day of Judgment. The classical interpretation, offered by the Beis HaLevi, reads Yosef's words as sarcastic: "You claim to care about our father now? Where was your concern when you sold me?" According to this view, God will similarly criticize us through our own inconsistencies—showing that our excuses don't hold up against our contradictory actions. Rabbi Zweig raises multiple objections to this reading. First, sarcasm and "putting someone down" is not an effective form of criticism—it only creates enemies and defensiveness. Second, the literal meaning of "Is my father still alive?" suggests Yosef wants to hear good news about his father, not to highlight his suffering. Third, the Midrash's sequence—"woe from the day of judgment, woe from the day of criticism"—places criticism after judgment, not before as justification.