SEFER CHOFETZ CHAIM
??????????????????????????? Day 137 ¨C Constructive Speech?
? As in the case of loshon hora, the prohibition of rechilus involves meaningless or destructive gossip only. Reporting to a person concerning what someone else said or did against him l¡¯toeles, for a constructive purpose, is not
considered speaking rechilus and may, in fact, be considered a mitzvah.
?
However, a clear understanding of the conditions which make such reporting permissible, complemented by a generous dose of objectivity, are absolute prerequisites for conveying such information.
?
? SEFER SHMIRAS HALOSHON ?
Despair ?
Another primary reason why people speak loshon hora is despair, meaning that they despair of being able to live by the Torah¡¯s laws of proper speech. There are those who convince themselves that anyone who interacts with others in normal business and social
relations cannot possibly live by these laws. To support this contention, they cite the Talmudic statement that ¡°everyone is guilty of loshon hora¡± (Bava Basra 165a).? Of course, they are grossly mistaken.
?
It is a known axiom of Jewish belief that Hashem does not make excessive demands of His creations. If the Torah places a certain obligation upon us, then surely its fulfillment is within our reach. Would adherence to the laws of shmiras haloshon be an inordinately
difficult achievement, then it would be optional, a matter for the exceedingly righteous who strive to perfect themselves in ways that others never attempt. In fact, to refrain from speaking loshon hora is required by the Torah, and involves numerous commandments.
Obviously, the Creator has endowed every Jewish soul with the ability to observe these laws.
?
¡°A God of faith without iniquity¡± (Devarim 32:4) ¡ª God created man to be righteous, not wicked (Sifre ad loc.). This means that Hashem endowed each Jew with the ability to observe all of His commandments, for if not, it would be unfair to hold him accountable
for their transgression.
?
