642. And in the first composition, HE SAYS: There are three who cause harm to themselves, two of whom are in this world, and one in another world. And these are: The one who curses himself, as we have learned; one official is appointed before man, and when a man curses himself this official together with his seventy appointed subordinates take that word and respond 'amen,' and they raise it up on high and judge him. And THE OFFICIAL follows him until he does something and then he puts into effect for him THE CURSE OF that word THAT HE UTTERED.

643. Who do we have that is greater than Moses, who said: "and if not, blot me, I pray you, out of Your book which You have written" (Shemot 32:32). This he said for the sake OF YISRAEL, and although the Holy One, blessed be He, did his wish AND FORGAVE YISRAEL, nevertheless he was not spared punishment, for it has already been noted that HIS NAME is not mentioned in the portion of Tetzaveh, but has been blotted out from there. And this has already been taught. And who do we have that is greater than King David, who said: "I said: I will take heed to my ways, that I sin not with my tongue: I will keep a curb on my mouth, while the wicked is before me" (Tehilim 39:2). What is the meaning of "while the wicked is before me"? This refers to that official who was appointed over the one WHO CURSES HIMSELF, and takes that word to harm a man, AS ABOVE.

644. And one WHO DOES HARM TO HIMSELF is the person who throws bread, or crumbs of bread, onto the ground, having no respect for it, as we have learned. And these are the two WHO RECEIVE THEIR PUNISHMENT in this world. And the one WHO DOES HARM TO HIMSELF in another world is the person who kindles a light at the end of the Shabbat, before Yisrael recite the doxology after the daily portion, DURING THE PASSAGES "OF VEATA KADOSH" AT THE END OF SHABBAT. And such a one is considered as a profaner of the Shabbat because he causes the fire of Gehenom to be kindled before its time.

645. There is a special place in Gehenom for those who profane the Shabbat. And since he kindles the light before its time, there is a certain official in Gehenom at the end of Shabbat, and he first lights that place and says: This spot is for so and so. And all the wicked ones who are in Gehenom help him to light up that spot, and that official calls out, saying: "Behold, Hashem will thrust you about with a mighty throw, and will seize you firmly" (Yeshayah 22:17). And the wicked who are in Gehenom respond: "He will violently roll and toss you like a ball into a large country: there shall you die" (Ibid. 18). And this is because he caused them to be kindled before time and this makes three who cause harm to themselves, as we have learned.