Have you ever found yourself asking this question about someone you disagree with? I know I have, and my guess is that this is something that happens frequently to most people.

But such a question really goes beyond disagreement. In fact, it is usually not a real question at all, but rather just rhetorical. It is another way of saying, “This person is so wrong that I can’t even begin to understand how they can think that way!” Perhaps there are isolated cases when this is appropriate, but I think the Rabbis generally wanted to push us away from it. As I read it, this is the core teaching of Hillel’s maxim, “Do not judge your fellow until you have reached his place” (Avot 2:4). To read more, click here.