SEFER SHMIRAS HALOSHON ? The Time Is Now ?
The serpent, whose deceitful words created a barrier between God and man, was cursed: “And dust shall you eat all the days of your life” (Bereishis?3:14).
The Talmud (Berachos 12b) interprets the phrase “all the days of your life” in another verse of the Torah (Devarim 16:3) as referring to the Messianic era. Thus, at the End of Days, all creatures will be cured of their maladies except for the serpent. And
just as “the snake bites because it was not charmed” [i.e. cured of its curse] so too “there will be no advantage [i.e. remedy] for the master of the tongue” (from Koheles?10:11).
Those who habitually speak loshon hora will, like the serpent, find no cure for themselves at the End of Days (Midrash Aggadas Bereishis 79:2 and Pirkei D’R’ Eliezer ch. 52). Their only hope is to repent now.
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The gossiper brings suffering not only upon himself, but upon the community as well: “R’ Shimon ben Pazi said: Rain is withheld only because of those who speak loshon hora, as it is written (Mishlei 25:23), ‘The north wind prevents the rain and [God shows]
an angry countenance [when there is] secretive talk’ ” (Ta’anis 7b). Zohar states that this sin brings death and destruction to the world.
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Therefore, one who cares for his own well-being and that of his fellow men will strive to acquire the golden quality of Shmiras haloshon.
