FROM THE BAAL SHEM TOV ON JUDGING

JUDGING

When one judges another saying that they deserve a punishment for a wrong they have done, then in the heavenly court they check the “judges” deeds – now it may be that the person did not do the same sin, however, we know there are sins that are comparable, for example, one who is arrogant is as if he has committed adultery; one who is angry, it is as if he worshiped an idol; and perhaps the judger’s sin, is deemed worse, and the punishment is then meted – however if one excuses the sinner by saying that he has such a strong Yetzer Hara (in other words, “The sinner is good, yet the evil in him got the better of him”) then a person is likewise forgiven.