SEFER CHOFETZ CHAIM ?
Day 144 ¨C Accuracy
? Condition #4:
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As with loshon hora, one may not exaggerate rechilus even for a constructive purpose. If a person harmed, or is planning to harm, someone else and the victim must be informed, one may not give him an exaggerated account of what has transpired or is about to
occur. This applies even if the person being warned does not take the danger of the situation seriously.
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Furthermore, one may relate only as much information as necessary for the purpose to be accomplished. To relate any additional information would be a transgression of the prohibition of rechilus.
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SEFER SHMIRAS HALOSHON ?
Sensitivity in Speech ?
Even if one has become so accustomed to speaking loshon hora and so overcome by his evil inclination that forbidden talk pours from his lips without his even realizing what he is saying, nevertheless, he should not despair. Through proper study and review of
the relevant laws, a dramatic change for the better will occur. His very nature will change, and he will find himself carefully weighing his own words as he speaks. Even if he will speak but avak loshon hora (words which can lead to loshon hara) he will take
note of it, and will be careful not to repeat his mistake.
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Hashem has endowed man with sensitivity, especially with regard to matters of personal speech. This ability is a great asset in the study of Torah, for when a student enunciates his thoughts, he can better perceive whether or not they are correct. As the Sages
state, ¡°For they [words of Torah] are life to those who express them with their mouths¡± (Eruvin 54a). This ability to discern is true regarding other areas of speech as well.
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However, such sensitivity is exceedingly weakened through habitual involvement in idle conversation and according little thought to what one is saying. However, when one studies the laws of proper speech and, as a result, becomes cognizant of his own verbal
expression, this sensitivity returns little by little, until it attains its original strength
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