Verbal Masterpiece
Many people are extremely careful – and rightfully so – about what they put in their mouth. Yet, what comes out of our mouth must be strictly kosher too…
Sometimes it’s not what you say, but what you don’t say, that counts.
Most of us fail miserably when it comes to holding our tongue; that is, refraining from speaking about others. While the term loshon hora literally means slander or evil talk, loshon hora entails all manner of speaking about people, even seemingly nice comments. One may think that what is being said is fine 
because it is not negative, but in fact it is not so simple. Many full-volume books are written on the topic, so there is much to learn. Loshon hora not only pertains to speaking about other people, but also includes discussing places, events, businesses or products.
because it is not negative, but in fact it is not so simple. Many full-volume books are written on the topic, so there is much to learn. Loshon hora not only pertains to speaking about other people, but also includes discussing places, events, businesses or products.Even the most well-intentioned individual finds it difficult to abstain from loshon hora thanks to our yetzer hora (evil inclination) which loves nothing better than to make us gossip. And this is for good reason since our Sages tell us that speaking loshon hora is a worse sin than murder! In today’s society, it unfortunately has become commonplace and even acceptable to discuss recent actions or relate verbatim conversations of a neighbor, co-worker, friend or relative. A great challenge for each one of us to accept upon ourselves would be to choose a specific hour or two in the space of one’s busy day and declare it void of speaking about anyone. Of course, our objective should be a full day of no loshon hora, but this is a commendable way to start. Try it… you will see how tough it really is but how rewarded you will feel when you beat the odds.
In ‘The Coming Revolution’, by Rabbi Zamir Cohen, (published by Hidabroot) Rabbi Cohen writes about ‘Seeing the Sounds’. “According to the Talmud, the words: “All the people saw the sounds,” mean that the Israelites actually saw the sounds of the Ten Commandments; that is each word spoken by G-d took the form of letters that pierced the sky like lightening”. Although this was referring to Hebrew letters, we can utilize the same concept by comparing our speech to creating a painting. As we paint a canvas of verbal exchange, we want it to be pleasing and filled with significance and splendor. Visualize all the kind, pleasant and holy words as a beautiful, colorful and tranquil masterpiece. They weave effortlessly through the atmosphere like a symphony. Now imagine loshon hora and idle talk as a horrid black, course and vulgar image which screams out in pain, an offensive vision to say the least. As any respectable artist, we want our creations to reflect meaningful beauty and value. And just as art is open to many interpretations, even when we speak of others with no harm in mind, both layman and critic may see something damaging in it that wasn’t intended.
Not only is it a necessity to change our way of speaking for our own sake, but we must set a virtuous example for our children as well. They watch everything we do and imitate us whether we are aware of it or not. The expression ‘the apple doesn’t fall far from the tree’ accurately sums up our offspring’s habits and manners. If your children watch you wasting precious time gossiping with friends, don’t be surprised if your ‘mini-me’ becomes a tale-bearing adult just like you.
“Who is the man that desires life, and loves days, that he may see the good therein? Guard your tongue from evil and your lips from speaking deceitfully.” (Tehillim 34:13-14) Hashem never asks us to do anything we are unable to achieve, but that is not to say it is effortless. The good news is, the more difficult the challenge, the greater the reward once we accomplish our goal. We can create abundant blessings and angels with proper speech, yet we have the power to bring destruction and chaos with the wrong choices.
Israel is surrounded on all sides by enemies whose sole purpose is to wipe it off the map. Antisemitism is dramatically on the rise worldwide. Any Jew, whether in the USA, Holland, Spain, Mexico or the Land of Israel, is set in the enemy’s crosshairs. All logic tells us that the end is near (or more accurately, the beginning) but how that plays out depends upon us. Our mission to fulfill G-d’s Will is something we can’t afford to ignore. For the benefit of those who can relate to this metaphor; this is the last call. The bar will soon be closing.
Hashem, in his loving kindness and through his promise to us, His Chosen People, can save us from our adversaries. But the question begs to be asked, who will save us from ourselves? During the Ten Days of Repentance between Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur we pray “Repentance (teshuva), Prayer (Tefilla) and Charity (Tsedaka), cancels the stern decree” but these undertakings must be performed daily, not just on the High Holidays. We, as individuals and as a collective People, must take it upon ourselves to improve and strengthen in these areas but also to make a concerted effort to refrain from the deadly sin of loshon hora.
The Chofetz Chaim wrote extensively on the topic of Loshon Hora. A book called “Guard Your Tongue” was adapted from the Hebrew by Rabbi Zelig Pliskin. In it, he states that “loshon hora is the main cause of the exile (Yoma 9b; Gittin 57b, Rashi) and until we rectify the evil, we will not be deemed worthy of redemption. Until we cease speaking loshon hora, we will definitely not be worthy of G-d’s blessings. By studying the laws, one will gradually be able to reverse the habit of speaking loshon hora. Blessed with this merit, we will hasten the final redemption. Amen”.
3/07/2010
Just think before you speak………. Chaya,Your first sentence says it all….if well intentional friends, family etc would just think before they open their mouth with a comment or complaint,the end result would be so much better.
How often have we wanted to take back the words we just yapped because we hurt someone badly or spread a untrue rumor that was told to us….we are all guilty,I know I am. The picture of the alligator is so appropriate……
3/07/2010
Chaya,Your first sentence says it all….if well intentional friends, family etc would just think before they open their mouth with a comment or complaint,the end result would be so much better.
How often have we wanted to take back the words we just yapped because we hurt someone badly or spread a untrue rumor that was told to us….we are all guilty,I know I am. The picture of the alligator is so appropriate……