“To punish also the righteous is not good” (Prov. 17:26). Anyone who punishes the public withholds the Messiah for if he were alive he would give birth.¹ Even though a scholar his the right to excommunicate where his honor is involved,² it is not worthy of a scholar to conduct himself so in this matter, rather let him close his ears to the talk of the illiterate. Thus did Solomon say in his wisdom, “Also take not heed of all the words that are spoken” (Eccl. 7:21). such was the manner of the pious of former years, they heard themselves reviled but did not reply,³ moreover they forgave the reviler.⁴ The great scholars prided themselves on their beautiful deeds and said that they never banished or excommunicated anyone because of their own honor.⁵ Such is the manner of scholars,⁶ who remain silent if spurned or shamed privately. But if degraded or shamed publicly, a scholar is prohibited to forego the honor due himself.⁷ “Yoreh Deah,” 242:32, see Isserles’ note. If he allowed it, he is punished because it is a disgrace to the Torah. Here he remains as vengeful and vindictive as a snake, until the offender seeks forgiveness from him.⁸, 243:9.

footnotes: ¹ Abodah Zarah 5a. The Messiah will not come until all souls will have appeared on earth. Hence, if a person dies without offspring as a result of punishment the Messiah is that much longer delayed. The quicker all souls are born the sooner the Messiah will appear. ² Maimonides, Hilkhoth Talmud Torah, 7:13. ³ Shabbath 88b. ⁴ Megillah 28a. ⁵ J. T. Moed Katan 3:1. ⁶ Scholars are worthy of emulation. ⁷ Shulhan Arukh, ⁸ Ibid.