SEFER CHOFETZ CHAIM
? Day 38 ¨C The Habitual Speaker of Loshon Hora
? The primary prohibition against speaking loshon hora is:? Do not go as a gossipmonger among your people (Vayikra?19:16).?
However, the Chofetz Chaim demonstrates that this sin can involve the transgression of numerous positive and negative commandments.? The baal loshon hora, habitual speaker of loshon hora, can easily accumulate a multitude of transgressions at a rate unparalleled
by any other sin.? That is why the Sages say that speaking loshon hora is worse than even the most severe sins.
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Furthermore, it is virtually impossible for the habitual speaker to ask forgiveness of everyone who was affected by his sinful speech; thus, he will find it difficult if not impossible to achieve full repentance for his sins.
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The Sages caution us to avoid associating with a baal loshon hora, and not to live in the vicinity of such people.
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? SEFER SHMIRAS HALOSHON ? Disciples of Aharon ?
The greatness of peace can be seen from the following incident recorded in the Talmud (Ta¡¯anis 22a):
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R¡¯ Beroka of Bei Chozai would frequent the marketplace of Bei Lefet. The prophet Eliyahu often appeared to him. Once, R¡¯ Beroka said to Eliyahu: ¡°Is there anyone in this marketplace who is destined for the World to Come?¡±
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In the meantime, two other people entered the marketplace. Eliyahu said to R¡¯ Beroka, ¡°These ... are destined for the World to Come.¡± R¡¯ Beroka approached them and asked, ¡°What do you do?¡± They replied, ¡°We are comedians and we go to cheer up those who are
depressed.1 Additionally, whenever we see two people involved in a quarrel, we strive hard to make peace between them.¡±
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¡°Hillel said: ¡®Be among the disciples of Aharon, loving peace and pursuing peace, loving people and bringing them closer to Torah¡¯ ¡± (Avos?1:12).
To be among the disciples of Aharon is to secure for oneself a place in the World to Come.
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With regard to the other source of merit of the two men, one should note the importance of helping others to rid themselves of their anguish and worries. To do so is to fulfill the mitzvah, ¡°You shall love your fellow as yourself¡± (Vayikra?19:18).
Moreover, this brings immeasurable pleasure to Hashem, as it were.
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We can liken this to a father whose son is experiencing worry and suffering. Surely the father will experience great relief and joy if someone offers his son moral support, and he overcomes his distress. Similarly, the Jewish people are considered Hashem¡¯s
children.2
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1. They devoted their comic talents solely for such situations, and thus acted for the sake of Heaven.
2. Devarim 14:1; see Bava Basra 10a.
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