SEFER CHOFETZ CHAIM
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Day 155 ¨C Lawyers and Therapists?????
The commandment, Do not stand aside while your fellow¡¯s blood is being shed (Vayikra 19:16), presents a major dilemma for the professional whose effectiveness, reputation and livelihood rest on the confidence placed in him by his
clientele. Often, a client will reveal to his lawyer or therapist information that is being withheld from someone unjustly.
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Whenever possible, a therapist must convince his client that he has a moral obligation to divulge such information to the proper party. Where appropriate, the client should be made to understand that despite the consequences, he will experience a sense of relief
after having revealed the information. Moreover, by being honest and open in his personal life, one is able to develop a more positive self-image.
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Should the client persist in his refusal to divulge such information to the proper party, the lawyer or therapist may be faced with the painful choice of either allowing a destructive relationship to materialize, or possibly jeopardizing his livelihood and
reputation. Consultation with a competent halachic authority is a must in such situations. This would also apply to a physician who is aware that his chronically ill patient is seeking to marry. When bringing such matters before a halachic authority, one should
not mention the names of the parties involved unless absolutely necessary.
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SEFER SHMIRAS HALOSHON
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The Blessing and the Curse
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The serpent was cursed, ¡°... upon your belly you shall go, and dust shall you eat all the days of your life¡± (Bereishis 3:14). Similarly, the gossipmonger is punished with poverty, as stated in Sefer HaKaneh.
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I am truly amazed by the fact that people who regularly speak evil of others nevertheless do not hesitate to request blessings and segulos (auspicious omens) from tzaddikim for success in earning a livelihood. Do they expect a blessing to outweigh the strength
of their sinful ways? The Torah states, ¡°Accursed is one who strikes his fellow stealthily¡± (Devarim 27:24), which the Sages interpret as a curse upon one who speaks loshon hora. This curse was uttered in the presence of the entire Jewish people, who collectively
answered ¡°Amen¡± to its pronouncement. Can the blessing of even a tzaddik outweigh the power of this curse?
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Would such a person seek my advice for material blessing, I would tell him to be exceedingly careful to avoid the sin of loshon hora. In this way, he will merit the blessing, ¡°Blessed is one who does not strike his fellow stealthily¡± (see Sotah 32b). Additionally,
he should avoid any form of robbery, usury, or any other act that might result in another¡¯s monetary loss. Such zealousness will surely bring blessing to one¡¯s endeavors.
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