SEFER SHMIRAS HALOSHON ?
Powerful Words ?
The power of speech is the great tool with which man can build heaven and earth, as it is written, “And I have placed My words in your mouth ... to implant the heavens and to set a base for the earth ...” (Yeshayahu 51:16). The prophet speaks in a most literal
sense, for through the sacred words of Torah study and prayer that a Jew utters on this earth, exalted worlds and angels are created Above. With regard to the latter, the Mishnah states: “He who fulfills even a single mitzvah gains for himself a single advocate”
(Avos?4:13).
By “advocate,” the Mishnah means that these angels will intercede on the person’s behalf before the Heavenly Throne.
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The level of sanctity of these worlds and angels is contingent upon two factors: the spiritual readiness of the person at the time he performed the mitzvah, and the quality of the medium through which the mitzvah was performed. A person who avoids loshon hora
and utilizes his power of speech in a positive way is forever enhancing the spiritual power of his words. Thus, the Torah study and prayer which emanate from his lips are endowed with an exalted spiritual light. Conversely, if a person defiles his mouth with
words of gossip, mockery, falsehood and the like, with what sort of sanctity can his words of study and prayer be endowed? He is a craftsman who has severely damaged his indispensable tool. His only recourse is to mend his ways and refine his power of speech.
