Lessons

Dedicated l’illuy nishmas

Rebecca bas Yedida

Note:  We are now presented with a great
opportunity!  Since we have just begun a new cycle of hilchos Shmiras haloshon,
it’s the perfect time to encourage others to join and thereby increase the
zechuyos being generated for the sake of our single brethren.  Remember, by
increasing the number of participants we are not just increasing the zechuyos
proportionally, but rather exponentially!  Such is the power of a large group
that is doing the will of Hashem.  Let’s each encourage 2 friends to join. 
Imagine the tremendous benefit that will result, on our account.  Here is the
link to sign up:  http://groups.yahoo.com/group/segulah4singles/join

Lesson #3

Please verbalize or have in mind that you are studying this
material as a merit for Jewish singles throughout the world.

Halachah

#1

When refraining
from loshon horah can lead to financial lose

1. At work, the course of conversation often leads to loshon
   horah.  Here’s my dilemma.  If I participate, I’ll be transgressing the prohibition
   of loshon horah.  On the other hand, if I don’t participate, I’ll be
   considered quite odd and my boss is likely to fire me.  If I lose my job I
   have no source of income.  Must I remain silent and risk losing my job?

1. One is obligated to give up everything he owns and not
   violate a prohibition of Hashem.  This is true even regarding a rabbinic
   prohibition.  The mitzvos of Hashem are more important than all the material
   possessions in the world. One who makes such a sacrifice for the sake of
   Hashem’s mitzvos can be rest assured that he/she will reap tremendous
   reward for their sacrifice.

#2

When refraining
from loshon horah can lead to embarrassment

1. Often, while sitting with friends, the conversation leads
   to loshon horah.  If I remain silent, they’ll think that I’m mentally
   challenged.  Must I remain silent and suffer this humiliation?

1. Yes.  It is better to be called a Shoteh (mentally
   handicapped) your entire life and not be considered a sinner, even for one
   moment, before Hashem.  Bear in mind that the reward for a mitzvah
   preformed with pain and hardship is one hundred times greater than one
   without.

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:  You mentioned yesterday that if a person
earns money using time that is not his own, he’ll end up losing it.  What did
you mean when you said: “using time that’s not his own”?

Oded:  In other words, if a person, instead of
setting aside time for learning, works all day to earn money; he’ll end up
losing that money.

Menaseh:  Why is that?

Oded:  Hashem runs his world measure for measure. 
Just as he wasted time that was meant to be used for learning, so too, Hashem will
waste his time.

Menaseh:  How?

Oded:  By causing him to lose the money that he
earned during that time, thereby rendering the time he spent earning it,
wasted.

Menaseh:  I see.

Oded:  The same is true regarding giving tzedoka.  A
person who refrains from giving tzedoka, will ending losing that money some
other way.

Menaseh:  In which way?

Oded:  The Medrash says: “A house that’s not opened
to the poor, will be opened to the doctor”.  In other words, instead of giving
money to the poor and getting a mitzvah and great reward, he will end up giving
his money to doctors and paying medical bills.

Menaseh:  From what you’re saying it seems clear that
it’s wise for a person to use his time and money the way Hashem would want
him/her to.

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

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If you know others
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Sources

Halachah

1) Sefer Chofetz Chaim Sec. 1 Chap. 1 Par.
6

2) Sefer Chofetz Chaim Sec. 1 Chap. 1 Par. 7

Agaddah

Sefer Shmiras Haloshon Sha’ar Hatevunah Chap. 9