SEFER CHOFETZ CHAIM
? Day 6 ¨C Content and Intent
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? Previously, we saw that a statement which is essentially derogatory is forbidden, regardless of the speaker¡¯s opinion regarding that statement.? Conversely, it is forbidden to utter a statement which, essentially, is not derogatory,
if either the speaker or the listener considers it derogatory.
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An illustration of this would be where an individual¡¯s mode of dress is being discussed.? Although there may be nothing wrong with the way the person dresses, nevertheless, it is forbidden to say that the individual dresses in that manner, if either the speaker
or listener has an unfavorable impression of those who dress that way.
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? SEFER SHMIRAS HALOSHON ?
Beyond Comprehension ?
Let us address the contention that it is virtually impossible to faithfully observe the laws of shmiras haloshon for more than a day or two:
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Even if this were correct, is it reason enough to ignore this mitzvah? Imagine a person walking along the seashore, who sees that the sea has washed ashore precious gems. Would such a person ¡ª even if he were wealthy ¡ª refrain from picking up any gems because
he knows it will be impossible to gather them all?
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It is exactly the same regarding shmiras haloshon. It is well known that the Vilna Gaon (in his famous letter) quotes the Midrash which says that for each moment in which a person refrains from speaking the forbidden, he merits a hidden light that no angel
can fathom. Note that the Midrash does not speak of refraining from forbidden speech for a month, a week, or an hour ¡ª but for only a moment!
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Scripture states: ¡°If you will seek it like silver and hunt for it like hidden treasures, then you will understand the fear of Hashem, and knowledge of God you will find¡± (Mishlei 2:4-5). One must strive to attain spiritual goals in the way that he would seek
the greatest valuables that this world has to offer. This is the intent of the statement, ¡°Do not distance yourself from a quality that is without limit.¡± Avoiding forbidden speech brings infinite merit; if we will only pursue this quality, and not tell ourselves
that it is out of our reach, then we will have achieved that which no angel can fathom.
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