The Gemora states: Rabbi Nechunya ban Hakanah said that one of the meritorious acts that he performed earning him longevity was the fact that he never went to bed to go to sleep before forgiving anyone that harmed him in any manner.
The Rosh Yosef explains the reasoning for this: At night, a person's neshama ascends to the heavens to receive judgment on all the day's actions. While in heaven, the neshama, if the person merits, is able to enter into the room of Hashem and listen to hidden secrets. The Gemora in shabbos (149b) states: A person, that someone else is punished on his account, does not merit entering this private chamber. That is why it is integral to forgive anyone that harmed you before falling asleep. Rabbi Nechunya waited the entire day because he wanted to give the people that caused him harm a chance to repent on their own and to perform the mitzva of repenting.
It is said over regarding the Skulener Rebbe that there is a person that goes out of his way every day to pain the Rebbe and cause him grief. Yet, the Rebbe greets him every morning with a cheerful "good morning" and a huge smile. When asked to explain himself, the Rebbe said that before going to sleep, he forgives everyone and each day is a new beginning. Every person deserves a cheerful greeting.
The Rosh Yosef explains the reasoning for this: At night, a person's neshama ascends to the heavens to receive judgment on all the day's actions. While in heaven, the neshama, if the person merits, is able to enter into the room of Hashem and listen to hidden secrets. The Gemora in shabbos (149b) states: A person, that someone else is punished on his account, does not merit entering this private chamber. That is why it is integral to forgive anyone that harmed you before falling asleep. Rabbi Nechunya waited the entire day because he wanted to give the people that caused him harm a chance to repent on their own and to perform the mitzva of repenting.
It is said over regarding the Skulener Rebbe that there is a person that goes out of his way every day to pain the Rebbe and cause him grief. Yet, the Rebbe greets him every morning with a cheerful "good morning" and a huge smile. When asked to explain himself, the Rebbe said that before going to sleep, he forgives everyone and each day is a new beginning. Every person deserves a cheerful greeting.
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