Hayom Yom 22 Elul - Before rebuking one should cut one’s nails

תּוֹרַת הַחֲסִידוּת דּוֹרֶשֶׁתThe teachings of Chassidus demand כִּי תְחִלָּה לְהוֹכָחָהthat before rebuking one’s fellowman, צְרִיכִים לְהָסִיר אֶת הַצִּפָּרְנַיִםone should “cut one’s nails,” נִיט שְׁטעֶכעֶן זִיךְso that people will not scratch each other — כִּי בְּטוּפְרְהָא אֲחִידָןfor [the forces of kelipah] cling to the nails. יעֶדעֶר שְׁטאָך אִיז קְלִיפָּה וְסִטְרָא אַחֲרָאEvery prick [unleashes] kelipah and sitra achra.וְאַחַר נְטִילַת הַצִּפָּרְנַיִםThen, after cutting the nails, צָרִיךְ לִהְיוֹת נְטִילַת יָדַיִםone must perform a ritual washing of the hands. כִּמְבוֹאָר עִנְיָנָהּ בְּדִבְרֵי אֱלֹקִים חַיִּיםIn [the metaphorical language of] Chassidus, this signifies הַמְשָׁכַת הַמּוֹחִין לְמִדּוֹתthe drawing down of intellectual influence into the emotions.Text and Translation courtesy of Sichos in EnglishFor questions and follow-up: [email protected]