Sefer HaMiddot, Mitigating Judgment, Part II/ספר המדות·המתקת דין·חלק שני

1A person who works to mitigate harsh judgments can easily and without hindrance sanctify the Name of God. His eyes do not grow faint.

2The suffering a person experiences elevates him.

3A person who accepts suffering in order to alleviate the suffering of the Jewish people is rewarded with Divine spirit.

4Reciting the Torah sections about the holidays, found in the portion of Pinchas (Numbers 28:15-31; 29:1-39), is a seguldh for nullifying harsh judgment and for success in one’s dealings in secular courts.

5Giving charity mitigates the harsh judgment destined for the Future, that is, for the Day of Judgment in the future to come.

6There is a person who, when he sees harsh judgments affecting the Jewish people, knows how to transfer them onto one of the nations, as in, “I shall put another in your place” (Isaiah 43:4). Through this, {all} creations return their energy and become encompassed in this person in order to renew their strength. [Turning harsh judgments onto the nations] also opens the gate of parables in the world.

7There are those whose acts of kindness sometimes have a negative effect. This corresponds to the warning given to the Kohanim— who personify the aspect of lovingkindness—not to take large steps [while performing the Temple service]. When people pretend not to see the harm brought on by their kindness, they cause the harsh judgment from on high to be without moderation. The inverse is also true. When care is taken that no harm comes from their kindness, it fosters moderation in the judgment.

8A person who rejects his suffering is in effect telling God, “Get away from me!”

9When a person labors in Torah study to the point of exhaustion, he mitigates harsh judgments and arouses compassion, even for his father who has passed away.

10It is impossible to appease harsh judgment with empty hands.

11A person bitten by a dog clearly has had Heaven’s mercy removed from him. It is also an indication that he has eaten a forbidden food.

12There are times when a Tzaddik’s priding himself with one of his followers conceals that person from the attribute of judgment.