But if that just man remaineth not in his place, then from the midst is he taken away for example by that Meshephat, Judgment, so that before it he cannot maintain his place, how much less before Tzedeq, Justice.
David the king said at first, Ps. xxvi. 2, “Try me, O Tetragrammaton, and prove me!” For I shall not be destroyed by all the severities, not even by Tzedeq, Justice Herself, seeing that I am joined thereunto.
For what is written, Ps. xvii. 15, “In Tzedeq, Justice, I will behold Thy countenance.” Therefore, properly speaking, I cannot be destroyed through Tzedeq, seeing that I can maintain myself in its severities.[840]
But after that he had sinned, he was even ready to be consumed by that Meshephat, Judgment. Whence it is written, Ps. cxliii. 2, “And enter not into Meshephat, Judgment, with Thy servant!”
Come and see! When that Tzedeq, Justice, is mitigated by that Meshephat, Judgment, then it is called TzDQH, Tzedeqah, Liberality.
And the world is tempered by Chesed, Mercy, and is filled therewith.
As it is written, Ps. xxxii. 5: “Delighting in TzDQH, Liberality, and MShPT, Judgment; the earth is full of the ChSD, Mercy, of Tetragrammaton.”
I testify concerning myself, that during my whole life I have [pg 331] been solicitous in the world, that I should not fall under the severities of Justice, nor that the world should be burned up with the flames thereof.
As it is written, Prov. xxx. 20, “She eateth and wipeth her mouth.”
Thenceforward and afterward all and singular are near unto the Abyss.