תּוֹרָה רז

Torah 207

All words are the aspect of powers of judgment [gevuros] — and they must be sweetened. And the sweetening comes through Torah study and good words that one speaks. Therefore one must guard one's speech greatly and not speak evil words — and in particular slander [lashon ha-ra] — G-d forbid. And all the more and more so — one must guard greatly from speaking — G-d forbid — against the Tzadik of the generation. So that the judgments not overpower — G-d forbid. And through these evil words — one can cause the Tzadik of the generation to fall from his level — G-d forbid — when he does not have the great power to sweeten these hard powers of judgment. [And the sweetening comes through judging them to the scale of merit — those who speak against him. Or through receiving with love the sufferings of those who speak against him. But if he does not have the power to sweeten them — then he is compelled to depart. That is:] — or he departs [completely] — G-d forbid — through this. And then through his departure — his soul sweetens these above-mentioned powers of judgment. (And it is understood that if even so he strengthens himself at the time of the fall and rises from his descent — they are also rectified through this. And descent is the purpose of ascent — as is known.) Or he falls from his level — which is also the aspect of death.]

[When one speaks against oral Torah in general — or when one speaks against the Tzadik of the generation — it is literally one and the same matter. For the primary oral Torah depends on the Tzadik of the generation. And likewise the Tzadik himself is the Torah — as our Sages of blessed memory said [Makkos 22b]: ""how foolish are those"" etc. But when the Tzadik sweetens their words — he returns and makes Torah out of the words — and teaches it to others. Which is the aspect of the Torah of kindness [toras chesed]. And through this he sweetens them completely.]