Hayom Yom 26 Iyar - A necessary prerequisite for rebuking

Day 41 of the Omerקוֹדֶם צִוּוּי הוֹכֵחַ תּוֹכִיחַBefore the commandment, “You shall surely reprove [your fellowman],”כְּתִיב וְלֹא תִשְׂנָא אֶת אָחִיךָit is written, “Do not hate your brother [in your heart],”כִּי זֶהוּ תְּנַאי מוּקְדָּם לְהוֹכָחָהfor this is a necessary prerequisite for rebuking one’s fellowman.וְאַחֲרֵי זֶה כְּתִיב וְלֹא תִשָּׂא עָלָיו חֵטְאThe same verse continues, “but do not bear a sin because of him.” שֶׁאִם לֹא פָּעֲלָה הַהוֹכָחָהThat is, if the reproof is ineffective,בְּוַדַּאי אַתָּה הָאָשֵׁםit 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 EnglishFor questions and follow-up: [email protected]