SEFER CHOFETZ CHAIM
? Day 12 ¨C Ambiguous Statements?
?
? A Jew is responsible for exercising caution in speech and not making statements which can be misinterpreted as being derogatory.
?
An example of an ambiguous statement that should not be said is: ¡°He¡¯s a well-meaning fellow,¡± which can mean, ¡°He¡¯s well-meaning but not very intelligent, or, ¡°He¡¯s well-meaning but his actions are wrong.¡± If one simply means, ¡°He¡¯s well-meaning and sincere,¡±
then this should be made clear.
?
? SEFER SHMIRAS HALOSHON ? Measure for Measure ?
The way in which one acts towards others determines the way in which Heaven will act towards him. For example, if one strives to overlook the hurt caused him, and if he acts towards others with kindness and compassion, then he awakens the Attribute of Compassion
in Heaven. Hashem will judge him with mercy and he will be shown kindness from Above. As our Sages state: ¡°Whoever has compassion towards others will be shown compassion from Above¡± (Shabbos 151b); and ¡°Whoever refrains from exacting his measure [of retribution
from others for the wrong they caused him] will have all his sins forgiven¡± (Rosh Hashanah 17a). Moreover, in his merit, Divine compassion will manifest itself upon the Jewish nation as a whole.
?
However, if it is one¡¯s way to be absolutely unrelenting towards others and to treat them without compassion, then he lends strength to the Attribute of Justice ¡ªtoward himself specifically, and to the entire Jewish nation as well. Heaven will be unrelenting
regarding that person¡¯s sins, for ¡°With the measure that a person measures do they [i.e. Heaven] measure him¡± (Megillah 12b).
?
Our Sages state: ¡°Jerusalem was destroyed only because its inhabitants limited their decisions to the [letter of the] law of Torah¡± (Bava Metzia 30b). This seems difficult, for Scripture records many sins of which that generation was guilty. Our discussion
sheds light on the matter. Had the people overlooked the wrong caused them, then Hashem would have forgiven them as well. However, they were absolutely unrelenting toward each other, demanding from one another whatever they could possibly extract according
to the law ¡ªand Heaven judged them accordingly.
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. To sponsor a daily email visit?
