349. Testimony (2)

There are many things which a person testifies about himself by the way that he acts. For example, if a person says that his soul is wounded by the lack of the temple which was destroyed because of our sins, and he is deeply affected by the fact that we have no altar or priest who can atone for us, there are ways of checking if it is the truth, as if he performs those actions which can take the place of the offerings like performing acts of charity and kindness, studying the laws of the offerings, and praying with the correct concentration, as praying takes the place pf the offerings. One who brings presents to a scholar is also like offering the first fruits (Bikkurim).

One who makes the Shabbos pleasant and says that he is doing so for a Mitzvah in order to honor the Shabbos, this supplies testimony (assuming that he does not run after the pleasures and empty things of this world during the week) that he really wants to honor the Shabbos. If he keeps the laws of the third meal on Shabbos and the meal to accompany the Queen after the Shabbos even when he is satisfied and has no desire to eat, this supplies the same testimony. Similarly, when he fulfils the commandments that contain physical pain, this testifies that he performs the commandments which contain physical pleasure in the right frame of mind (for the sake of heaven).

Similarly, if a person says that if he would have tremendous wealth he would perform wondrous deeds of charity and kindness, Hashem will test his words by looking at whether he does his share with the portion that Hashem has given to him. In this way all the words of a person can be tested as his words are his witnesses who testify if his actions are pure and honest.