开云体育

SEFER CHOFETZ CHAIM Day 55 – Social Pressure ? A mumor l’tayovon (lit., rebel due to temptation) is someone who regularly submits to temptation in violating a specific mitzvah.? While the prohibition against gossip mongering does apply with regard to speaking about him (as he is not a heretic), his situation differs drastically from one who occasionally transgresses a given mitzvah but basically is committed to its observance.? ? As we have learned, the primary prohibition against speaking loshon hora is lo saylaych rachil b’amecha, Do not go as a gossipmonger among your people (Vayikra?19:16).? One who embarrasses his fellow Jew transgresses the prohibition lo sonu ish es amiso, A man shall not aggrieve his fellow (Vayikra 25:17). Our Sages interpret the term amecha, your people, in the first prohibition as excluding only a mumor l’hachis, (lit., rebel whose intent is to spite), one whose lack of regard for a given prohibition causes him to regularly transgress it.? However, the term, amiso, his fellow, in the second prohibition, excludes even the mumor l’tayovon.? Thus, it is forbidden to speak loshon hora about a mumor l’tayovon but it is permissible to exert social pressure on him in order to induce him to mend his sinful way. ? It is permissible to publicize that a Jew regularly violates a particular halachah if it is clear that he is aware of the halachah and has chosen to ignore it, and it stands to reason that publicizing his behavior will induce him to change.? This applies even if he transgresses the law out of temptation.? However, one must be certain that all the conditions of toeles, constructive speech, including purity of intent and lack on an alternative, apply. ? ? SEFER SHMIRAS HALOSHON ? The Time Is Now ? The serpent, whose deceitful words created a barrier between God and man, was cursed: “And dust shall you eat all the days of your life” (Bereishis?3:14). The Talmud (Berachos 12b) interprets the phrase “all the days of your life” in another verse of the Torah (Devarim 16:3) as referring to the Messianic era. Thus, at the End of Days, all creatures will be cured of their maladies except for the serpent. And just as “the snake bites because it was not charmed” [i.e. cured of its curse] so too “there will be no advantage [i.e. remedy] for the master of the tongue” (from Koheles?10:11). Those who habitually speak loshon hora will, like the serpent, find no cure for themselves at the End of Days (Midrash Aggadas Bereishis 79:2 and Pirkei D’R’ Eliezer ch. 52). Their only hope is to repent now. ? The gossiper brings suffering not only upon himself, but upon the community as well: “R’ Shimon ben Pazi said: Rain is withheld only because of those who speak loshon hora, as it is written (Mishlei 25:23), ‘The north wind prevents the rain and [God shows] an angry countenance [when there is] secretive talk’ ” (Ta’anis 7b). Zohar states that this sin brings death and destruction to the world. ? Therefore, one who cares for his own well-being and that of his fellow men will strive to acquire the golden quality of Shmiras haloshon. ?

Keep reading Day 56, the lesson for Shabbos

SEFER CHOFETZ CHAIM ? Day 56 – Public Announcements ? Traditionally, Jewish communities have used social pressure in dealing with the publicly observant whose private behavior includes blatant violation of basic halachah. ? If all else fails, it is permissible to publicize the fact that an otherwise observant Jew is guilty of immorality on a regular basis, if the disclosure will prompt him to repent. ? Similarly, rabbinical courts have the authority to post signs informing the public of someone’s refusal (siruv) to comply with a court ruling.? Social pressure is often the only means through which rabbinical courts can enforce their decisions. ? ? SEFER SHMIRAS HALOSHON ? Evil Epitomized ? The Talmud states (Sotah 42a): “Four groups will never be allowed to stand in the presence of the Shechinah (Divine Presence): scoffers, liars, flatterers, and those who speak loshon hora ... [With regard to this last group it is written] (Tehillim 5:5), ‘For you are not a God who desires wickedness, no evil sojourns with you.’ ” The wickedness referred to here is that of loshon hora, as the psalmist goes on to say, “For in their mouth there is no sincerity, their inner thought is treacherous” (ibid. v. 10). The habitual speaker of loshon hora is called? “evil”, as the Sages state: “R’ Chama bar Chanina said: Whoever converses with his neighbor, dines with him and then speaks loshon hora against him, is called “evil”? by Hashem” (Aggadas Mishlei 12:1). ? Whatever words a person utters on this world are recorded Above. In the Midrash we find (Devarim Rabbah 6:5): Let not your mouth bring guilt on your flesh ... (Koheles 5:5). How is this? When the mouth speaks loshon hora, it sins against the body by bringing punishment upon it. ? ... and do not tell the emissary that it was an error. Do not say: “I will go and speak loshon hora and no one [but the listener] will know of it!’’ ? Says the Holy One, Blessed is He: “Know that I will send an angel who will stand next to you and record every word that you speak against your fellow.’’

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?

开云体育

开云体育

开云体育

开云体育

开云体育

SEFER CHOFETZ CHAIM Day 53 – The Occasional Sinner ? If a person whose actions may have involved a given transgression is known to commit that particular sin at least occasionally, then the commandment, “Judge your fellow favorably,” does not require that one seek a positive explanation for what he did.? However, it is meritorious to give the person the benefit of the doubt and assume that this time he did not sin.? Reproof would not be necessary. ? If it is absolutely clear that the person did commit a sin, then the mitzvah to reprove does apply and one should, in a respectful and caring manner, help the person to overcome his evil inclination by offering reproof. ? There are times when it would be more effective for someone else, such as a close friend or rav, to reprove the individual.? Theoretically, it should be permissible for the one who witnessed the transgression to inform the friend or rav of it and ask that he handle the situation.? However, we have learned that one may not act on hearsay, which would mean that one cannot possibly offer reproof unless he personally witnessed the transgression.? Consequently, it would be one’s responsibility to find an effective means of reproving himself, or to ask the rav to either personally investigate the situation or tactfully discuss the matter with that individual without making accusations. ? ? SEFER SHMIRAS HALOSHON ? David’s Acceptance ? The Sages teach that one who speaks loshon hora is fit to be stoned (Arachin 15b). The following lends support to this statement of the Sages, whose teachings are true and everlasting: ? In an incident recorded in the Book of Shmuel, King David was, according to the Sages, guilty of accepting loshon hora. In the very next incident, David, as he fled during the rebellion of his son Avshalom, was cursed and stoned by Shimi ben Geira. The word? “and behold” with which this second narrative begins (II Shmuel 16:5), indicates a connection between the two episodes. This implies that for transgressing the loshon hora prohibitions one is fit to be stoned, as David was (by Shimi) after he had been guilty of such an infraction. ? Parenthetically, the above is indicative of David’s exalted holiness and righteousness, for Scripture makes clear that David was as of yet unaware that he had sinned in accepting a slanderous report. Yet when one of his officers suggested that Shimi be punished for his blasphemous behavior, David responded, “Hashem told him [i.e. inspired him] to curse” (ibid. v. 11). David, without knowing how and when he had sinned, recognized the fact that Hashem would not have permitted Shimi to act as he did had he, David, not been deserving of such disgrace. Therefore, he would not allow his men to attack Shimi.

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?

开云体育

Hi Everyone!

Yom Yerushalayim - Jerusalem Day
begins Sunday Night - May 25, 2025

I updated the Jerusalem page at:


The page includes:
- Lessons, Facts, History, Articles
- Attractions / Places to Visit
- Online Guides
- Activities
- Jewish Trivia Quiz - topic: Jerusalem
- Maps - including English and Hebrew maps of
Jerusalem Light Rail current red line and future green lines
- Photos
- Videos
- Jerusalem songs with lyrics and translations
- Spotify Jerusalem Song Playlist
- English Hebrew Vocabulary List
- Jerusalem Stamps
- Jerusalem Clipart
- Jerusalem Coloring Pages
- Jerusalem Medical and Social Services
- Jerusalem Synagogues
- Jerusalem Community Sites / Groups / Mailing Lists
- Jerusalem Facebook Pages / Groups
- Jerusalem Hotels
- Jerusalem Holiday Apartments
- Jerusalem Restaurants
- Jerusalem Social Organizations / Groups
- Jerusalem Schools /Seminaries / Yeshivot
- Jerusalem Shops / Services

Enjoy! Please share. Thank You!

Please continue to pray for and support Israel.


May the wounded have a complete and speedy recovery.
May the hostages be freed now.
May God protect the IDF, the police, the security forces
and all of Am Yisrael.

Yom Yerushalayim Sameach!
Jacob
jrichman@...