תּוֹרָה קיג

Torah 113

The holy Ba'al Shem Tov, may the memory of the righteous be for a blessing, said: before a decree is issued against some person — the person himself upon whom the decree is to be issued is asked — and if he agrees — then the decree is issued — G-d forbid. That is, they ask him about something analogous — and he rules the judgment — and then the decree is issued. In the manner we find regarding Dovid the King, peace be upon him [II Samuel 12:1] — that the Prophet Nasan told him the story of the guest and the ewe-lamb — and the judgment was ruled against him as it came out of his own mouth. And regarding all the words and stories that a person hears — one must be very careful not to complete the judgment — for it is a danger to one's life. For in the matter of storytelling there are profound matters. [See Berachos 5b: ""let the master examine his words"" — and it does not say ""his deeds."" And this is: ""and in the hand of every person He seals"" — for the sealing of his judgment is through another person who ruled his judgment against him. And this is also: ""before whom you will in the future give account and reckoning"" ["P'ninim Y'karim"].]