LEV585 Honoring While Giving Rebuke. The verse says, "Surely rebuke your fellow man and do not bear sin because of him" [this verse]. Sifra states: "Even if one gives rebuke four and five times to no avail, he is obligated to continue to rebuke the sinner. Should he give rebuke even if this will cause embarrassment to the sinner? The verse says, 'Do not bear sin because of him.'" This teaches that it is prohibited to rebuke the transgressor in public if this will cause embarrassment; however, one is obligated to continue giving rebuke in private (this law is discussed in detail in Sefer HaChinuch, mitzvah 500). Sefer Orach Meisharim (ch. 31) writes that the person giving rebuke should not speak harshly; instead, he should assure the sinner that it is in his own best interest to accept the rebuke. He should speak gently and argue in a logical and sincere manner, thus sparing the sinner embarrassment. Furthermore, the purpose of giving rebuke is that the sinner change his ways. Concerning this, the Sages say, "The words of a wise man are heard in gentleness" (Koheles 19:17)--over-aggressiveness on the part of the person giving rebuke will have the effect of further entrenching the sinner in his ways. (Continued at [[NUM251]] Numbers 20:10 rebels WAGS 75-6).