ISSUES IN ETHICS

#3:  HUMILIATING ANOTHER IN PUBLIC

 An impeccably dressed, elderly woman is a regular at her local upscale supermarket. Every time she goes through the check-out line, she pays with small change, counting it out coin by coin. She then checks each item on the slip with the items in her cart to ensure that there are no extra charges. This day, instead of small change, she gives the checker food stamps. The checker picks up her microphone and, over the loudspeaker, yells out, “Hey, Charlie, do we still take food stamps?”

-   Could there be any excuse for the checker’s behavior?

-    How do you think the woman felt?

-    On a scale of 1-10, how wrong was the checker?

The Mishnah Teaches

One who desecrates sacred things,                                   

Shows blatant disregard for the holy days      

Or humiliates another in public…..                                           

Has no share in the world to come.

Pirke Avot: 3:15

 Discussion Questions

•                  According to this mishnah, how would one rate the checker’s behavior? 

•                  Had you been standing behind this lady, would you have said anything to the checker? What would you have said?    

Bureau of Jewish Education of Orange County

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