Daily Halacha Podcast - Daily Halacha By Rabbi Eli J. Mansour

The 17th of Shevat (which is today Feb 2 2018), marks the Yahrtzeit of Rabbi Haim Palachi of Izmir, Turkey (1788-1869), and today's Halacha will therefore discuss a passage from his famous work, Kaf Ha'haim (1:4; listen to audio recording for precise citation). Rav Haim Palachi speaks of the importance of granting forgiveness to those have caused one humiliation, calling this quality "the cure for everything." If a person is patient and tolerant with people and does not grow angry at them for offending him, this reaction is more effective in earning him forgiveness for his sins than fasting and other forms of self-affliction. Rav Haim adds that one should not even feel any resentment in his heart toward those who offended him. Harboring ill will rather than foregoing on one's honor constitutes sheer arrogance, and is included in the admonition, "Anyone with an arrogant heart is an abomination to God" (Mishleh 16:5). Rav Haim cites in this context a comment in Abot De'Rabbi Natan where the Sages infer this les