Printed from Chabad.org
Contact Us
Visit us on Facebook
Meet the new Chabad.org
Switch to OLD version

207. Self-Trial

Print
E-mail

The Baal Shem Tov taught that in the heavenly court there is no one who can judge you for what you have done in your life on earth. So this is what they do:

They show you someone’s life—all the achievements and all the failures, all the right decisions and all the wrongdoings—and then they ask you, “So what should we do with this somebody?”

And you give your verdict. Which they accept. And then they tell you that this somebody was you. Being now in heaven, you don’t recall a thing.

Of course, those who tend to judge others favorably have a decided advantage.

Better get in the habit now.

Based on letters and talks of the Rebbe, Rabbi M. M. Schneerson
From the wisdom of the Lubavitcher Rebbe, of righteous memory; words and condensation by Rabbi Tzvi Freeman. To order Rabbi Freeman’s book, Bringing Heaven Down to Earth, click here.
The content on this page is copyrighted by the author, publisher and/or Chabad.org, and is produced by Chabad.org. If you enjoyed this article, we encourage you to distribute it further, provided that you comply with the copyright policy.
Print
E-mail
Sort By:
Discussion (10)
January 7, 2012
self trial
Because this reminds me of King David, when his sins were brought before him & he was basically asked, "what should be done?" David gave his reply. And they replied, "the person we speak of is you ." That is sobering. A judge must be just. But as a state that, I also have this question-doesn't the word speak about not judging in favor of a person? Please elaborate.
Anonymous
battle creek, mi
January 7, 2012
self trial
the light in you is reflecting off me , thanks for the good advice.
lamont
hollywood, florida
January 6, 2012
That is why-
the Baal Shem Tov was known, and is still known, as a world-class mensch.

I adore this, Rabbi Freeman; what you have shared here from the Baal Shem Tov.

It appears to go hand-in-hand with avoiding lashon hara; a good practice all around.

Thanks for the reminder, and have a good Shabbos.
Thomas Karp
New Haven, Ct.
January 6, 2012
The Baal Shem Tov
Blessed be The Baal Shem Tov for letting us know about this things that are going to happen in the heavenly court the moment we arrive there.
Mr. Jorge Munuzuri
January 6, 2012
RE:Two Trees
There can not be Mercy without Justice.
Carmen
January 6, 2012
I´d rather judge justly...
I´d rather judge justly...
not others but myself.
By struggling to judge myself justly,I naturally tend to judge others justly,rather than favorably, and by doing so,I wish the Scale UpThere will show things the way I am wishing now them to be and that they will alow me to remember my right doings to keep repeating them and-principally- my wrong doings ,in order to keep correcting them.

May be this way...Amen.
Carmen
January 6, 2012
:) Nice!
Mabel Butenschøn
Oslo, Norway
January 6, 2012
one of your best!
Anonymous
phila, pa
January 6, 2012
Good one!!
Also like this: "Better get in the habit now."
Anonymous
Colusa, Ca
January 6, 2012
Two Trees
It seems the Tree of Knowledge of good and evil represents God’s Divine Attribute of Justice and Judgment, while the Tree of Life represents God's Divine Attribute of Mercy. Truly, (it seems) G-d's original intention for man was to be merciful and receive mercy, rather than to be just and receive justice. (Mercy, meaning also steadfast love, would have caused him to keep G-d’s commandment and live, instead of choosing to become a judge (“god”) and to be removed from the Tree of Life.)
Anonymous
Colusa, Ca
1000 characters remaining
Email me when new comments are posted.
FEATURED ON CHABAD.ORG