Judging for the Best
Once, on a visit to Morocco, as I was praying, I felt a fellow congregant regarding me with derision and scorn, thinking bad thoughts about me. As I was steeped in prayer, I added one of my own. “Ribbono shel Olam,” I began, “please do not punish this man for his improper thoughts. But prove to me that You are the true Judge Who brings judgment upon all.”
I then walked over to the man and covered both of us with my tallit. I told him, “In the merit of the tzaddik, Rabbi Chaim Pinto, zy”a, today will be a good day for you. Whatever was decreed upon you on High will be annulled.” This was my true feeling about the man.
The man heard my words but took exception to them. “Why does the Rav always have ill tidings for me? Why can’t you ever predict something good happening to me?”
I was taken aback at this comment. “You don’t think this is a good tiding? That Hashem should remove all negative decrees from you?”
He just hemmed and hawed and went on his way.
Half a day passed uneventfully. It seemed that things were okay with him. He even called up his friend to tell him, mockingly, “Midday came and went and nothing out of the ordinary took place. So much for the Rav’s blessing.”
But toward evening, the man was suddenly overcome by abdominal pains. He became completely paralyzed and was rushed to the hospital in critical condition. If not for Heavenly mercy, he would have left to a better world.
There is justice and there is a true Judge. For every deed in this world, we will give an accounting, for better or for worse. Often, the accounting is made while we are still here. But sometimes, Hashem delays punishment. He eagerly awaits our teshuvah. But if it is not forthcoming, we will be taken to task in the World to Come.
