Moe and Lenny are strolling home from shul one Saturday morning. Suddenly a cab speeds past, and their friend, Irving, is running frantically behind it, flailing his arms wildly.

Well, said Lenny, I never imagined our good friend Irving was a Sabbath violator! Look at him running for that taxi.

Wait a minute, Moe replied. Didnt you read that book I lent you, The Other Side of the Story, about the command to judge other people favorably? Ill bet we can think of hundreds of excuses for Irvings behavior.

Yeah, like what?

Maybe hes sick and needs to go to the hospital.

Come on! He was running 60 miles an hour after that cab – hes healthier than Arnold Schwartzenweis.

Well, maybe his wifes having a baby.

She had one last week.

Well, maybe he needs to visit her in the hospital.

Shes home.

Well, maybe hes running to the hospital to get a doctor.

He *is* a doctor.

Well, maybe he need supplies from the hospital.

The hospital is a three minute walk in the opposite direction.

Well, maybe he forgot that its Shabbos!

Of course he knows its Shabbos. Didnt you see his tie? It was his paisley beige 100% silk Giovani tie from Italy. He never wears it during the week.

Wow, youre a really observant! I didnt even notice he was wearing a tie.

How could you not notice? Didnt you see how it was caught on the back fender of the taxi?