Lessons

Dedicated l’illuy nishmas Rebecca bas Yedida

Note:  We have completed one cycle of the laws of Shmiras haloshon (guarding ones tongue from evil speech).  We are now beginning the second cycle.  The Halacha section will primarily be a review of the lessons from the first cycle with some changes and additions.  The Aggadah section will be new material.  Please bear in mind that the purpose of learning the laws of Shmiras haloshon is not only to know the laws but also to keep them on the fore of our minds.  Therefore, even if the material sounds familiar, to those who have been with us from the beginning, it is still important to review so that we will be cognizant of these crucial laws at all times.  Only through constant review can we hope to make guarding our tongues a habit and save ourselves from severe transgressions. 

Lesson #1
Please verbalize or have in mind that you are studying this material as a merit for a specific single and/or Jewish singles throughout the world.

Introduction

Halachah

The focus of this course will be the following areas of evil speech:

• Loshon Horah
• Motzei Shem Rah
• Rechilus
• Listening to the above
• Believing the above

Definitions

Loshon Horah:

1. Any form of communication about a fellow Jew that is derogatory, even if it does not cause him/her any harm.
2. Any form of communication that causes any form of harm to another Jew even if it’s not derogatory.

Motzei Shem Rah:  Loshon Horah with falsehood mixed in.

Rechilus:  Any form of communication that will bring hatred or dislike upon a fellow Jew.

Listening:  Hearing any of the above even if you don’t accept it as truth.

Believing:  Hearing any of the above and accepting it as truth.

One who is a participant in Loshon Horah or Rechilus can violate up to:

• 17 negative transgressions
• 14 positive transgressions
• Bring upon himself up to 4 curses

That is a grand total of 31 transgressions and 4 Curses.  (A
person will not violate all of them with one incident of Loshon Horah, but he is
likely to transgress many of them.)

As you can see, Loshon Horah is a very heavy sin that
carries with it severe consequences.   The goal of this course is to delineate
what forms of speech and communication are forbidden and what forms are
permitted.

Aggadah

This section is
formatted as a conversation between Oded and Menaseh.   Oded is encouraging his
friend Menaseh to be more careful in guarding his tongue from evil speech.  The
thoughts in this section are primarily based on the sefer, Shmiras Haloshon.

Menaseh:  I have a set time for my Torah studies. If
a great business opportunity presents itself; would I be considered negligent
if I turn down the opportunity so as not to disturb my set time for learning?

Oded:  As you know, Hashem decrees on Rosh Hashana
how much each person will make over the course of the year.  Do you think that
because you didn’t want to interrupt your set time for learning, Hashem will
not give you what was decreed upon you for that year?

Menaseh:  Perhaps this is His way of giving it to me
and I have no right to turn it down?

Oded:  Do you think that Hashem has no other way of
getting you the money?

Menaseh:  I’m sure he does; my only doubt is whether
it’s right for me to turn down an opportunity that came my way?

Oded:  Hashem commands every male Jew to set aside
time to learn Torah each day.  It is certainly not his will that one should
interrupt his set time for learning.  Therefore, you can be rest assured that
you will not lose as a result.

Menaseh:  And what of the missed opportunity?

Oded:  If that was money that you were supposed to
have, you will get it before the end of the year some other way.  If you were
not supposed to get those funds, all your efforts to secure that lucrative
business deal will have been in vain.

If you have any
questions regarding these lessons, feel free to contact Rabbi Faivel Adelman by
hitting the reply button.

For information
about sponsorship opportunities, send a message to the following email
address:  lessonaday@yahoo.com

If you know others
who would appreciate this program, please encourage them to join.  The more
people participating, the greater the zechus!  In addition, you will have a
share in the merit of anyone who improves their speech as a result of you
signing them onto this program!!

Sources

Halachah

 Sefer Chofetz Chaim – Introduction

Agaddah

Sefer Shmiras Haloshon Sha’ar Hatevunah Chap. 9