here is that is
destroyed, because therein is not Meshephat." Since Meshephat is departed
from this Tzedeq which is not therefore restrained; and Tzedeq hath
operation after another manner.

And concerning this (matter) thus speaketh Solomon the king, Eccles. vii.
16: "All these things have I seen in the days of my HBL, _Hebel_; there is
a just man who perisheth in his Tzedeq," etc.

Where by the word HBL, _Hebel_ (which is usually translated "vanity"), is
understood the breath from those supernal breathers forth which are called
the nostrils of the King.

But when he saith HBLI, _Hebeli_, of my breath, Tzedeq, Justice, is to be
understood, which is MLKVTHA QDISHA, _Malkutha Qadisha_, the holy Malkuth
(_Sanctum Regnum_, the Holy Kingdom).

For when She is stirred up in Her judgments and severities, then hath this
saying place, "There is a just man who perished in his Tzedeq."

For what reason? Because Judgment, Meshephat, is far from Justice, Tzedeq.
And therefore is it said, Prov. xiii. 23, "And there is that is destroyed
because therein is not Meshephat."

Come and see! When some sublimely just man is found in the world, who is
dear unto God the Most Holy One--may He be blessed!--then even if Tzedeq,
Justice, alone be stirred up, still on account of him the world can bear
it.

And God the Most Holy--may He be blessed!--increaseth His glory so that He
may not be destroyed by the severity (of the judgments).

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 fil