We all have. But where does it come from, and what happens to it as we age?

The Kalach Pitchei Chokhmah, or "Hall of the Openings of Wisdom," wrestles with this very question, using a powerful metaphor: judgment as fire. It paints a picture of judgment as something that, like a flame, can either rage uncontrollably or gently subside. It’s not just some abstract concept either; it's deeply embedded within us. Remember being young? That feeling of absolute certainty, that unwavering conviction in your own rightness? The text suggests this is the fire of youth, burning bright and hot… and, perhaps, not always tempered with mercy. The text draws a direct parallel from Numbers 11:2, "the fire subsided," connecting it directly with the diminishing of judgment.

But what happens as we get older? The Kalach Pitchei Chokhmah proposes that, as we age, this fire gradually diminishes. Experience, perhaps, tempers our judgment. We begin to see the world in shades of gray, understanding the complexities and nuances that were invisible to our younger selves. The text says, "the older they become, the more this fire subsides and they become filled with mercy." We become more compassionate, more understanding. It’s why, the text suggests, elders are often full of mercy – because the fiery anger of youth has calmed.

This isn't to say that judgment disappears entirely. The text makes it clear: "When Judgment subsides, it does not cease altogether but is diminished." It’s not about becoming passive or indifferent. It's about refining our judgment, tempering it with wisdom and compassion. It's about moving from a fiery, impulsive reaction to a more considered, thoughtful response.

So, what can we take away from this? Perhaps it's a call for patience – with ourselves and with others. To recognize that the fire of judgment burns differently at different stages of life. To strive for that balance: a judgment that is both just and merciful. It's a lifelong process, a constant tending of the inner flame, ensuring that it warms and illuminates, rather than scorches and destroys. Perhaps as we age, we aren't just getting older, but hopefully, wiser. And maybe, just maybe, a little more merciful too.