In Anglo society, there is the principle to "sleep on" a big decision before pulling the trigger on it. (Be it a large purchase, a business deal, or other substantial decision in work or personal life.)
Is such a practice or principle described by Chazal, the Gemarra or other sources in the Jewish tradition?
May be linked to the first Mishna in the 4th chapter of Sanhedrin, regarding the decision for a capital law.It's called "Halanat Hadin" the withhoding of the judgment. See Gemara 17a, 34a and 35a.
Below the quote from the Mishnah.
דִּינֵי מָמוֹנוֹת גּוֹמְרִין בּוֹ בַיּוֹם בֵּין לִזְכוּת בֵּין לְחוֹבָה, דִּינֵי נְפָשׁוֹת גּוֹמְרִין בּוֹ בַיּוֹם לִזְכוּת וּבְיוֹם שֶׁלְּאַחֲרָיו לְחוֹבָה, לְפִיכָךְ אֵין דָּנִין לֹא בְעֶרֶב שַׁבָּת וְלֹא בְעֶרֶב יוֹם טוֹב:
In cases of capital law, the court may conclude the deliberations and issue the ruling even on that same day to acquit the accused, but must wait until the following day to find him liable. Therefore, since capital cases might continue for two days, the court does not judge cases of capital law on certain days, neither on the eve of Shabbat nor the eve of a Festival.
The Rabbeinu Yonah on Avos 1:1 writes that one should not rely on his first thoughts.
that they should not rely on the first thought, but rather upon great deliberation and incisive investigation, so that they not err in their evaluation.
Why?
As a man who is quick to make a decision is called a sinner - and even though he thought he was saying the truth, it is not [considered] accidental but rather is [considered] to be close to volitional, since he did not put it into his heart to say, the quick hearts do not understand to know. As error is found in all men, as the rabbis say (Avot 4:13), " Be careful in study, for an error in study is considered an intentional transgression."
And it is as the sages, may their memory be blessed, said (Avot 4:7), "One who is nonchalant about giving legal decisions is an imbecile, wicked, and arrogant in spirit." Therefore, it is incumbent upon a man who makes legal decisions to go back and forth on the matter and let his thought ripen and to hold on to it
The Rabbeinu Yonah teaches us that one should not make hasty decisions, even if one thinks that he was speaking the truth. A person needs to put into his heart the matter, so that he can understand what to do. A person needs to go "back and forth" on making a decision.
