SEFER CHOFETZ CHAIM
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Day 140 ¨C Fact or Hearsay
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For a statement to be excluded from the realm of rechilus and be classified instead as constructive, several conditions are necessary.
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Condition #1:
Most important is that one ascertain that the information is fully accurate. This involves both verification of the facts as well as a clear understanding of the situation (as was discussed regarding conveying negative information for a constructive purpose).
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The commandment, ¡°Do not stand aside while your fellow¡¯s blood is being shed¡± (Vayikra 19:16), obligates us to report constructive information if our knowledge of it is firsthand. Should one choose to speak of an alleged occurrence that he did not personally
witness in order to save his fellow Jew from possible harm, it must be clearly stated that the information is based on hearsay and is not to be accepted as fact.
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SEFER SHMIRAS HALOSHON
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Without Rule or Regulation
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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.
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The following parable is a fitting response to the above situation:
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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.¡¯¡¯
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¡°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?¡¯¡¯
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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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Keep reading Day 141 the lesson for Shabbos
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SEFER CHOFETZ CHAIM
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Day 141 ¨C Thorough Understanding???????????
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Condition #2:
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Even when one has personally witnessed a situation, he must avoid hastily concluding that one party has harmed, or is about to harm, another. Often, it is impossible to fully understand the attitude and behavior of one person towards another without a thorough
knowledge of their relationship until this point. What appears to be a sinister plot might actually be a plan of self defense. Exposing the ¡°plotter¡± in such a case might leave the real victim vulnerable and defenseless.
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SEFER SHMIRAS HALOSHON
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Negativity
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Yet another primary cause of speaking loshon hora is? negativity,
as it is written? ¡°And you spoke very negatively in your tents and said ¡®Because of Hashem¡¯s hatred for us did He take us out of [the land of Egypt]¡¯
(Devarim 1:27)¡±. There are people who are wont to complain and find fault at every opportunity, to criticize the ways and words of their fellow even when, in fact, he acts toward others with sincerity and has not caused them the slightest bit
of harm. Such people never give others the benefit of the doubt; they assume every unintentional wrong to be deliberate, and are certain that it was done with malice. Whoever is afflicted with this terrible trait will speak loshon hora
regularly, for he will view whatever others say or do as intended against himself.
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One who seeks to rid himself of this destructive trait should contemplate its various ill effects; through such reflection, he will ultimately succeed in viewing others in a favorable light.
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