Lessons

To sponsor a lesson send a message to the following
address

segulah4singles-owner@yahoogroups.com

Lesson #41

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

#1

Speaking about
someone’s physical strength

1. I have a friend who’s physically weak.  Is there anything
   wrong in me telling this to others?

1. It depends.  If he’s in a line of work that requires
   physical strength, i.e. a construction worker or a sanitation engineer,
   etc., then you may be harming his livelihood; therefore, it would be
   considered loshon horah.  However, if it won’t cause him harm then you may
   say it.

#2

Speaking about
someone’s financial stability

1. Is there anything wrong with saying that someone is poor?

1. Yes.  If word gets around that he’s poor, people will be
   hesitant to lend him money.  This can cause grave damage to his financial
   stability.

1. In our community there is an individual who people think
   is very wealthy.  I happen to know that his liabilities are almost equal
   to his assets and he is not as wealthy as people think.  May I share this
   information with others?

1. No you may not since this can harm him financially, as
   mentioned above.

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:  We mentioned 7 possible causes that can lead a
person to freely speak loshon horah.  They were:

·       
Anger

·       
Frivolity

·       
Arrogance

·       
Hopelessness

·       
Abandonment

·       
Complaining nature

·       
Rationalization

Menaseh:  We are now ready to discuss the last cause,
rationalization.  Can you elaborate on that a bit?

Oded:  Sure!  Often we find ourselves rationalizing
that what we are about to say isn’t really loshon horah or that about such a
person it is permissible to speak and it’s even a mitzvah!

Menaseh:  Would you say that this a common cause?

Oded:  Most people speak loshon horah as a result of
this cause.

Menaseh:  How is one to prevent this from happening?

Oded:  The real underlying cause is simply a lack of
knowledge.  Therefore, the only solution to this problem is to thoroughly learn
the halachos of Shmiras haloshon in all its details and to know until what
extent the prohibition of speaking loshon horah, reaches.

Menaseh:  So a thorough knowledge of the laws
pertaining to loshon horah will prevent us from rationalizing.

Oded:  Correct.  This is in fact a solution that is
more effective than any other.  As a matter of fact, it can work for any sin.

Menaseh:  Can you elaborate on that that?

Oded:  Tomorrow, I will share with you more, regarding
the extent of this solution.

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

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!!

Click here to join.

Sources

Halachah

1) Sefer Chofetz Chaim Sec. 1 Chap. 5 Par.
5

2) Sefer Chofetz Chaim Sec. 1 Chap. 5 Par. 5

Agaddah

Sefer Shmiras Haloshon Sha’ar Hatevunah Chap. 16