开云体育

ctrl + shift + ? for shortcuts
© 2025 Groups.io
  1. Nachlaotcommunity
  2. Topics

Shmirat Haloshon

 

开云体育

SEFER CHOFETZ CHAIM
?
Day 116 – The Habitual Sinner????????????
?
The prohibition of accepting loshon hora does not apply when the subject is known to regularly engage in the negative behavior under discussion. Thus, if on a number of occasions one has personally witnessed an individual commit a particular sin, he would be permitted to believe that the person committed that sin again. The Chofetz Chaim seems to suggest that one would even be permitted to believe the person has committed a different sin. When a person is known to totally disregard the Torah and its mitzvos one may certainly accept a report that he committed any sin.
?
If one is known to regularly transgress a particular sin out of temptation, one would be allowed to believe that he transgressed it again, but would be required to reject a claim that this time it was done maliciously.
?
?
SEFER SHMIRAS HALOSHON
?
Forgive and Forget
?
Even if all that one would gain through silent acceptance of humiliation is a lessening of punishment for a single sin, it would be well worthwhile. In fact, the gain is far greater, as stated in the Talmud:
?
Rava said: Whoever refrains from exacting his measure [i.e. from responding to the hurt caused him], [the Heavenly Tribunal] removes from him all his sins, as it is written, “He forgives transgressions and passes over sins” (Michah?7:18). Whose sin does He forgive? One who passes over sins [committed against himself] (Rosh Hashanah 17a).
?
Rava taught that even one’s willful sins committed in a state of spiritual rebellion, find atonement when one refrains from “exacting his measure.” However, to be worthy of such atonement, one must demonstrate a corresponding degree of forgiveness; that is, he must bear no ill will towards those who have caused him hurt, even when he knows for a fact that the hurt was inflicted maliciously.
?
Of course, such atonement is dependent upon the individual’s sincere resolve to refrain from committing these sins in the future.
?
?
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. Please call?845-352-3505?#113?or email?lozeri@...?to sponsor or for more information on other sponsorship opportunities.

 

开云体育

SEFER CHOFETZ CHAIM
?
Day 117 – Repentance
?
The standard order of teshuvah (repentance) for sins between man and God is: confession, regret and resolution never to repeat the act in the future. One who willfully listened as someone related loshon hora is required to engage in this process.
?
If one actually believed the loshon hora, then the above steps must be preceded by a successful effort at convincing oneself that the information was not accurate. This applies even when the halachah permits listening to the information for a constructive purpose but does not permit believing it as fact.
Generally, sins between man and his fellow require that one ask forgiveness. However, this does not apply when one has accepted loshon hora. So long as the listener has not acted on the basis of the report in any way that was harmful to the subject, there is no need to approach the person for forgiveness. In fact, the person should not be informed that loshon hora was spoken about him, as it would serve no purpose other than to hurt his feelings, and may involve rechilus (speech which causes hatred – See Day 118).
?
?
SEFER SHMIRAS HALOSHON
?
New Lease on Life
?
At times, the willingness to overlook and forgive can cause a person’s life on this world to be extended, even after Heaven has decreed that his time has come. The Talmud relates (Rosh Hashanah 17a):
?
R’ Huna, the son of R’ Yehoshua, fell ill. R’ Pappa went to visit him. Upon seeing that he was unconscious, R’ Pappa told them [R’ Huna’s attendants], “Prepare provisions for him [i.e. ready his burial shrouds].’’ In the end, R’ Huna recovered. They [R’ Huna’s attendants] asked him [R’ Huna], “What did you see [while unconscious]?’’ He told them, “Indeed, that is how it was [that death had been decreed upon me]. But the Holy One, Blessed is He, instructed them, ‘Because he does not exact his measure, therefore, do not be exacting with him.’ As it is written, ‘He forgives transgressions and passes over sins’ (Michah?7:18) — whose sin does He forgive? One who passes over sins.’’
?
Therefore, one should cling to this sacred attribute constantly. In this way, it will be good for him in this world and in the World to Come.
?
?
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. Please call?845-352-3505?#113?or email?lozeri@...?to sponsor or for more information on other sponsorship opportunities.

 

开云体育

SEFER CHOFETZ CHAIM
?
Day 119 – When an Act is justified??
?
Speaking rechilus is prohibited even when it is made clear that the act committed was totally justified. It is therefore forbidden to tell someone that another person spoke negatively of him for a constructive purpose (l’toeles). Moreover, it is forbidden to tell someone that another person spoke negatively of him upon the advice of a posek (halachic authority). People tend to bear ill will towards those who speak against them even when it is obvious that the speaker was justified in doing so.
?
?
SEFER SHMIRAS HALOSHON
?
The Man of Trust
?
Hashem has commanded us to study Torah at every available moment; at the very least, we are to set aside a fixed portion of time each day for its study. We are also commanded to set aside a portion of our earnings for tzedakah (charity), and fulfill other mitzvos which ostensibly seem to deplete one’s resources or prevent him from adding to his income. The evil inclination incites the Jew to be lax in his observance of these mitzvos by way of simple arguments: “What will you be left with in the end if you give away so much money which could be used toward lucrative investments?’’ Or, “Now is a most opportune time for a business trip; you might never have an opportunity like this one! Your studies will have to wait for another time.’’ In this way, one feels compelled to give less charity or to sacrifice his fixed learning session for the sake of the business opportunity which “cannot be missed.’’
?
To counter this, David declares: “Trust in Hashem” (Tehillim 37:3) — trust that He will surely grant you whatever has been decreed for you; “and do good” — through such trust you will find yourself ready to carry out all the good which the Torah seeks of you.
?
Talmud Yerushalmi (Sotah?9:13) relates that a businessman was once studying Torah when some customers approached him, demanding that he show them his merchandise. The man replied: “I will not interrupt my fixed study period. If this profit has been decreed for me, then inevitably it will be mine.’’
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. Please call?845-352-3505?#113?or email?lozeri@...?to sponsor or for more information on other sponsorship opportunities.

1 - 3 of 3