SEFER CHOFETZ CHAIM
? Day 14 ¨C Your People
? The Torah states:? Do not go as a gossipmonger among your people (Vayikra 19:16).? From the word among your people, our Sages derive that it is forbidden to speak loshon hora about a Jew only when he is one who acts in the way of
your people.
?
It is not shameful to focus on the shortcomings of a wicked person.? The term ¡°wicked person¡± refers to a malicious offender.? However, one who sins out of ignorance or temptation is in the category of amecha and it is forbidden to speak loshon hora about him
(unless it is for a constructive purpose, as will be discussed later).
?
? SEFER SHMIRAS HALOSHON
? Silencing the Accuser
? As mentioned above, Hashem acts towards the Jewish people in the way that we act towards one another. Thus, if Jews live in peace and harmony with one another, then in Heaven, Satan is not able to indict them. Hashem has implanted
in Satan¡¯s nature an inability to indict His beloved nation in any way under such conditions. Midrash Shir HaShirim states that this applies even when the Jewish people are guilty of the worst sins, such as idol worship. Thus it is written, ¡°Bound [to one
another in peace but attached] to idol worship is Ephraim ¡ª let him be¡± (Hoshea 4:17).
?
Middah k¡¯neged middah (measure for measure) is the rule of Heaven in all instances. When a person restrains himself from speaking disparagingly of his fellow and arousing bad feelings towards him, then in Heaven the Accuser is unable to open his mouth to accuse.
?
The converse is true when loshon hora is spoken, and this evokes Divine wrath toward the speaker. As our Sages comment on the words? ¡°and in his hand was a coal¡± (Yeshayahu 6:6), Hashem told the angel: ¡°Break the mouth of the one who spoke ill of my children!¡±
(Yalkut Shimoni 406).
Dedications and Sponsorships
Do you know someone who needs a refuah shleima? A shidduch? Or perhaps a meaningful yahrtzeit is approaching? As a merit
for a recovery from illness or for a departed family member you can sponsor a daily email and have over 8,000 people, every day, learn and be inspired as a z¡¯chus for your loved one. Please call 845-352-3505 #113 or email
lozeri@... to sponsor or for more information on other sponsorship opportunities.
