Day 41 of the Omer

קוֹדֶם צִוּוּי הוֹכֵחַ תּוֹכִיחַ

Before the commandment, “You shall surely reprove [your fellowman],”

כְּתִיב וְלֹא תִשְׂנָא אֶת אָחִיךָ

it is written, “Do not hate your brother [in your heart],”

כִּי זֶהוּ תְּנַאי מוּקְדָּם לְהוֹכָחָה

for this is a necessary prerequisite for rebuking one’s fellowman.

וְאַחֲרֵי זֶה כְּתִיב וְלֹא תִשָּׂא עָלָיו חֵטְא

The same verse continues, “but do not bear a sin because of him.” 

שֶׁאִם לֹא פָּעֲלָה הַהוֹכָחָה

That is, if the reproof is ineffective,

בְּוַדַּאי אַתָּה הָאָשֵׁם

it is certainly you who are to blame,

שֶׁלֹּא הָיוּ דְּבָרִים הַיּוֹצְאִים מִן הַלֵּב.

for your words did not come from your heart.

Text and Translation courtesy of Sichos in English

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