Lesson 87
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Lesson #87
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
Corroborating
rechilus
- My friend and I were talking with the office manager at my
place of work. The office manager told us something nasty about the
accountant. My friend foolishly went over to the accountant and told him
what the office manager said about him. Being that the accountant now
knows what the office manager said about him, if I were to further discuss
it with him, would it be a violation of rechilus?
- Certainly if the accountant had doubts about what your
friend told him and you’ve corroborated it, you would be in violation of
rechilus. However, even if he already accepted what your friend told him,
you should still not substantiate it. By doing so, you are likely to
foster greater hard feelings, since hearing about it from 2 people lends
to it more credence than hearing about from one person. Additionally,
it’s possible that the accountant got over his hard feelings and by rehashing
the matter you are reigniting the resentment.
#2
Teshuva for
rechilus
- How can I do Teshuva for rechilus that I’ve spoken?
- It is not possible to repair the damage without first
seeking forgiveness from the one whom you’ve harmed. Once his forgiveness
has been attained, you must do teshuva to Hashem. The Teshuva process is
as follows.
1. Remorse: You need to feel sorrow and anguish to the extent that
you wish the sin would have never been committed and pained by the fact that
the deed was already done.
2. Vidui: Verbally admit to the sin.
3. Resolution: You must resolve with full sincerity never to
commit the sin again.
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: From all that we’ve discussed about the
greatness of Torah learning we can easily understand the tremendous importance
of supporting Torah learning.
Menaseh: Is this true only for those who don’t learn
Torah themselves or also for those who do?
Oded: People who are busy with worldly matters
certainly need to pounce on the great opportunity to support Torah so that they
can save themselves from the bitter punishment of not learning Torah.
Menaseh: How do you know that supporting Torah can
save one from the punishment of not learning Torah?
Oded: Rabainu Yona in his letter of teshuva writes
“One who wants to be saved from the bitter punishment and this great sin,
should occupy himself with the needs of the students and their teachers so that
they can stay in his city and toil in Torah as a result of his efforts.”
Menaseh: Is there a scriptural source for this as
well?
Oded: The posuk in Mishlei states: “It is a tree of
life to those who hold on to it”. The Sifrei notes that it doesn’t say for
those who learn it but rather for those who hold on to it; meaning, those who
hold the hands of the students and their teachers, so to speak, and enable them
to study.
Menaseh: Well, back to my original question; is it
important for those who themselves learn Torah to support it as well?
Oded: If they have the ability to support it as well
they are also obligated. As a matter of fact, if they don’t, they are included
in a curse.
Menaseh: Which curse?
Oded: The Torah states: “Cursed is one who does not
uphold the words of this Torah”. Our sages have said that if a person learned,
taught others, kept the Torah and had the ability to support those who are toiling
in Torah and mitzvos but didn’t, he is included in this curse.
If you have any
questions regarding these lessons, feel free to contact Rabbi Faivel Adelman by
hitting the reply button.
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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
1) Sefer Chofetz Chaim Sec. 2 Chap. 4 Par. 2
2) Sefer Chofetz Chaim Sec. 2 Chap. 4 Par. 3
Agaddah
Sefer Shmiras Haloshon Sha’ar HaTorah Chap. 5