Mishmeres HaSholom: Ask the Rav

Q: I attended a convention sponsored by my workplace. Towards the end of the program, all participants received a questionnaire to fill out anonymously. We were instructed to rate the lectures we heard during the day on a scale from one to 10. I was wondering if such a questionnaire is halachically questionable.

Should one fill in the questions concerning the satisfactory speakers without mentioning the faults of the others? Or should one relate to the contents of the lecture without bringing up the lecturer himself?

A: It appears that since there is no substantial to’eles in expressing one’s opinions regarding the lecturers and their lectures, and opinions may demean the lecturers’ competence, there is no heter to assess them. For the future benefit of the organizers and the participants of the convention, you may indicate which lecture you felt was the most outstanding without belittling the others.

The questions and answers above were taken from the Mishmeres Hasholom pamphlet in Israel. For details and inquiries please e-mail us at office@hasholom.org or call 972-2 5379160.

The views expressed are of the individual author. Readers are encouraged to consult their own posek for guidance.