The Soul and the Body Testify

R. Judah ben R. Naḥmani, the translator for Resh Lakish, expounded: What is the meaning of Do not trust a friend; do not put your faith in a general; guard what comes out of your mouth from her who lies at your breast (Micah 7:5)? If the evil inclination says to you, “Sin, and the Holy One will forgive you,” do not believe it. [ . . . ] But if you should say to yourself, “Who will testify against me?” The stones of one’s house and the walls of one’s house will testify against a person, as it is said: For a stone from a wall will cry out, and a rafter from the woodwork will answer it (Habakkuk 2:11).

And the sages say: A person’s soul will testify against him, as it is said: Guard what comes out of your mouth from her who lies at your breast (Micah 7:5). What lies in a person’s breast? You must say it is the soul.

R. Zerika said: The two ministering angels who accompany a person testify against him, as it is said: For He commands His angels over you, to guard you in all your ways (Psalm 91:11). And there are those who say: A person’s limbs testify against him, as it is said: You are My witnesses, says the Lord, and I am God (Isaiah 43:12).

Translated by Jenny R. Labendz.