开云体育

SEFER SHMIRAS HALOSHON

S. Krell All Messages By This Member #70 开云体育 SEFER SHMIRAS HALOSHON ? Within Everyone’s Reach ? Any Jew who reflects upon his ways regularly, and resolves to scrupulously refrain from speaking the forbidden, will surely succeed in attaining the quality of shmiras haloshon. As our Sages teach, one who seeks to purify himself is granted Heavenly assistance (Shabbos 104a). They further state that if a person sincerely strives to be a tzaddik (righteous individual), then Hashem will assign him an angel who will treat him as a tzaddik; and if he will sincerely strive to be a chassid (exceedingly righteous individual), then Hashem will assign him an angel who will treat him as a chassid (Tanna D’vei Eliyahu Zuta ch. 3). ? The Talmud qualifies the statement, “Everyone is [guilty of speaking] loshon hora” (Bava Basra 165a) by saying that this refers not to actual loshon hora, but to avak loshon hara (the dust of loshon hara); that is, statements which can lead to loshon hora being spoken or from which negative information can be inferred.1 Moreover, Maharsha (ibid.) comments that “everyone” refers only to a person who is not careful in matters of speech, and speaks whatever comes to mind. Such a person will surely be guilty of speaking avak loshon hora. The Sages did not, Heaven forfend, mean that it is impossible for anyone to be free of this sin. With knowledge of the relevant laws and proper zealousness, any Jew can acquire the golden quality of shmiras haloshon. ? 1.?As an example, it is forbidden to praise someone in the presence of his enemies, as his enemies will probably respond by voicing their criticism of him.
S. Krell All Messages By This Member #71 开云体育 SEFER SHMIRAS HALOSHON ? Without Rule or Regulation ? A primary cause of speaking loshon hora is that people consider matters of speech as without rule or regulation. Tragically, many do not even consider speaking loshon hora a sin. Such blatant disregard for this severe prohibition weakens the resolve of those who might otherwise be cautious with their words. ? The following parable is a fitting response to the above situation: ? A sizable portion of a city’s inhabitants contracted a dreaded disease. All the city’s doctors despaired of curing the stricken. One day, a world-renowned physician appeared who was known for his ability to restore the seriously ill to their original health. The illness that had swept through the city was viewed as incurable, and thus many doubted that even this doctor could save them. One sick man, however, hurried to the doctor’s lodgings at the first opportunity. “Where are you rushing?’’ one of his friends asked. “No one else seems to be in a hurry to see this doctor.’’ ? “Foolish man,’’ the patient replied. “A wise person understands that when one’s life is at stake, even the most remote possibility of a cure must be pursued. In this case, the possibility is not at all remote. This doctor has earned himself a reputation as being able to heal when no one else can. He has cured people who were at death’s door. Should I neglect to seek his expertise because so many fools ignore this opportunity for salvation?’’ ? If the above argument is true regarding physical health, how much more so does it apply regarding spiritual health. King David declared, “Go, O sons, heed me ... Which man desires life, who loves days of seeing good? Guard your tongue from evil, and your lips from speaking deceit” (Tehillim 34:12-14). Who is a greater healer of the spirit than King David, of blessed memory? One who ignores David’s advice will remain spiritually ill eternally, and will suffer retribution in this world as well, as explained above. Surely, then, one should pay no heed to those who make light of this most severe sin.

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