R'Moshe Fienstein one of the great Torah sages of the past generation was visited one time by his contemporary R' Yaakov Kamenetsky. R'Moshe was in an extremely joyous mood and R'Yaakov asked him why was he so happy? R'Moshe related to him the following story that had happened that day.

 

You know that I act as a judge on Jewish Law and when disputes come before me I judge accordingly. A few months ago I received a phone call from someone who identified himself and said in an irate and disrespectful manner that my judgements were incorrect. He continued by saying that whatever I had judged in some particular case had no authority because I erred in a clearly stated law. (R'Moshe was the preeminent authority in Jewish Law in probably the past 70-80 years so the accusation was completely disrespectful, brazen and most probably mistaken).

R'Moshe continued telling R'Yaakov, that today a young Torah scholar arrived at his door requesting he test him in Jewish Law and write him letter of "semicha" rabbinic ordination, attesting to his knowledge and ability to decide Jewish Law. Being the preeminent authority of his time, many Torah scholars approached R'Moshe for such letters. When this scholar introduced himself R'Moshe realized it was the name of the caller who had questioned his authority months ago. R'Moshe said his initial thought was to send the man straight out the door he entered, as he couldn't believe the great disrespect he had to come ask for ordination. Nevertheless, being R'Moshe, he was silent and welcomed the scholar in and began to question him in the various areas of Jewish Law. When he was satisfied with the scholar's knowledge he took out pen and paper and wrote him a letter of semicha with a few lines praising his knowledge. Before he left though, R'Moshe turned to the scholar and told him that his actions did not find favor in his eyes. The way he spoke and acted was totally inappropriate. The scholar looked at R'Moshe in bewilderment as he had no idea what R'Moshe was talking about. R'Moshe realized that something was amiss and they realized that someone else with the same name (or someone used this scholar's name) when making the call months ago. R'Moshe exclaimed to R'Yaakov that he was so happy that he overcame his initial thoughts and feelings and didn't turn away the scholar when he entered. He continued by saying how much we must give the other person the benefit of the doubt.

Shabbat Shalom,

Heath