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Lesson #125b

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.

Halachah

Summary of laws regarding shiduchim

Part 4

The following is a
basic overview of the Shmiras halashon guidelines as they pertain to
shiduchim.  They are by no means to be relied on without first consulting with
a competent halachic authority.  (See note below)

#1

1. I’m a bit confused as to what I’m allowed to say and what
   I’m not, regarding shiduchim.  Would you mind summarizing these laws?

1. Not at all.  There are 4 general categories.  Each
   category has its own set of laws.  The 4 categories are as follows:
1. Suggesting or advising someone to pursue a possible
   shiduch.
2. Advising someone, or sharing information that will lead
   someone not to pursue a particular shiduch.
3. Responding to questions about a possible shiduch.
4. Advising or responding to questions regarding a couple
   who are already engaged.

Today we will discuss category #4.

#2

Advising or
responding to questions regarding a couple who are already engaged

Once a couple is engaged, the standards for what is
permissible to reveal are stricter.  The reason for this is that before they’re
engaged you are not harming a specific party but rather withholding a potential
benefit, whereas after they are engaged, if as a result of your words, one
party decides to break off the engagement, you are causing actual harm.  The
general guide lines are as follows:

• If you know that the person whom you are telling won’t do
  anything on his own without first consulting Bais Din, you may take the
  initiative to advise him/her about matters that can be detrimental to
  their marriage and respond to questions regarding such issues.  (See
  appendix below for examples)
• If the person is the type to take matters into his own
  hands and break off the engagement without first consulting with Bais Din,
  then an additional 2 conditions must be met.

1. There must be a second witness to what you are claiming.
2. You must be certain that the one whom you are informing
   will not cause more harm to the other party than would be due to him by
   the determination of Bais Din.

Note:  Even if these conditions
are met, you are only skirting the violation of speaking loshon horah. 
However, you are not absolved from the sin of aiding and abetting someone to
commit a sin, as it is forbidden for the one whom you are telling to take
action on his own without first consulting with Bais Din.

• If you have information that one of the parties has
  heretical beliefs or comes from a promiscuous home, you are obligated to
  tell the other party.  In these circumstances, none of the preconditions
  apply.  However, if the information you have is only second hand, you
  should make sure to say so.

Important note:  These are only general guidelines. 
Every situation has its own unique set of circumstances which may have a
bearing on these guidelines.  What you say or don’t say regarding these matters
can have a major impact on the life of others.  Therefore, a competent
halachic authority must be consulted for each individual situation.

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.

Oded:  Yaakov Avinu was 63 years old when he left his
home to go to Charan; he arrived there when he was 77.

Menaseh:  It took him 14 years to travel?

Oded:  He actually made a stop on the way.

Menaseh:  Where?

Oded:  He stopped off by the Yeshiva of Shem and Ever.

Menaseh:  Why?

Oded:  To learn Torah.

Menaseh:  So he made a 14 year stop at Yeshiva to
learn Torah?

Oded:  Correct.

Menaseh:  But he was already 63 years old and not
married.  Wouldn’t it have made more sense for him to go straight to the house
of Lavan and get married as his father commanded him?

Oded:  You’re asking a good question, especially in
light of the fact that Yaakov knew that the 12 shevatim were destined to come
from him.  Why then did he delay for 14 years the performance of this great
mitzvah?

Menaseh:  Do you have an answer?

Oded:  I do.  I will share it with you tomorrow.

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Sources

Halachah

1) Sefer Chofetz Chaim Sec. 2 Chap. 9

2) Sefer Chofetz Chaim Sec. 2 Chap. 9

Agaddah

Sefer Shmiras Haloshon Sha’ar Hatevunah Chap. 9

Appendix

If one of the parties has a major shortcoming that the other
party is unaware of, you must inform them. 

Here are some examples of major shortcomings that should
be divulged:

• A serious internal health issue
• Serious psychological, emotional, or mental issues
• Heretical beliefs
• Comes from a promiscuous home

However, before divulging information, the following
conditions must be met.

• You must clarify that the shortcoming is indeed a major
  shortcoming and not merely a weakness.
• You must not exaggerate the shortcoming for more than it
  is.
• Your intention should be for the benefit of the one whom
  you are informing and not out of hatred for the other party.
• You must assess whether the one whom you’re informing will
  listen to you.  If you estimate that they won’t, you should not inform
  them.