SEFER CHOFETZ CHAIM
Day 44 ¨C End Result?
Before relating negative information l¡¯toeles, for a constructive purpose, one must carefully consider whether or not his words will, in fact, bring about the desired result.? Speaking negatively l¡¯toeles is justified only if
there is a reasonable chance that the desired result will be accomplished.
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This point is of particular importance when one seeks to discourage a potentially harmful friendship, business association or shidduch (marriage match).? Often, a final decision has already been made, and speaking negatively of the other party will serve no
constructive purpose.
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SEFER SHMIRAS HALOSHON
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Miriam¡¯s Affliction
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The Torah relates (Bamidbar ch. 12) how Miriam criticized her brother Moshe for not living with his wife after the Torah was given through him. Miriam did not realize that a man of Moshe¡¯s humility and selflessness would not have done so unless he had been
commanded to be in a constant state of readiness to receive prophecy. Miriam was punished with tzaraas, and was subsequently healed through the prayers of Moshe.
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The Torah states: ¡°Beware of a tzaraas affliction, to be very careful and to act; according to all that the Kohanim, the Levites shall teach you ...¡¯¡¯(Devarim 24:8). The very next verse exhorts the Jewish people to ¡°Remember what HASHEM, your God, did to Miriam
on the way when you were leaving Egypt.¡¯ Sifre comments:
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Why are these two verses juxtaposed? ¡ª to teach that Miriam was punished [with tzaraas] only because she spoke loshon hora. It is a kal v¡¯chomer (a fortiori): If Miriam, who spoke against her younger brother, was punished [so severely], then how much more so
one who speaks against someone greater than himself. Alternatively: If Miriam, whose words were heard by no one other than the Holy One, Blessed is He, as it is written, ¡°And HASHEM heard¡± (Bamidbar 12:2), was punished [so severely] then how much more so one
who speaks disparagingly of his fellow in public.
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Ramban comments: ¡°[With this verse,] we are commanded to make known [the episode of Miriam] to our offspring and to relate it to future generations. It would have been fitting to conceal this episode so as not to speak the disgrace of the righteous; nevertheless,
Scripture commands that we make it known and revealed, so that we be well versed in the prohibition of forbidden speech, which is a great sin and brings about many bad happenings, yet is transgressed frequently.¡¯¡¯ |
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