Lessons

To sponsor a lesson send a message to the following
address

segulah4singles-owner@yahoogroups.com

Lesson #92

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

Suspecting a
fellow Jew of slander

#1

1. I was fired from my job and I’m not sure if the boss (who
   happens to be a non-Jew) decided on his own to fire me, or if a Jewish
   co-worker slandered me.  Am I violating any prohibition if I suspect my
   co-worker of maligning me?

1. Yes.  The Torah requires of us to give our fellow Jew the
   benefit of the doubt.  Unless you have solid evidence to the contrary, you
   may not suspect that your co-worker slandered you.

#2

1. The truth is I was told by other co-workers that this
   fellow did in fact slander me to the boss.  As a matter of fact, they even
   confronted this fellow about it and he remained silent.  Would this be
   considered sufficient evidence that he did in fact slander me?

1. The fact that he remained silent is not adequate
   evidence.  Even though a person is obligated to make sure that he is clean
   in the eyes of Hashem and people; perhaps, he realized that his accusers
   were so biased against him that whatever he would say would not satisfy
   them.  As a result, he chose to be from those who hear their degradation
   and don’t respond, an attribute that is very commendable and powerful.

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:  When one supports a Torah scholar, the Torah
that is learned is also credited to the supporter.

Menaseh:  From where do you know that?

Oded:  The Mishna in Meseches Zevachim makes a
statement in the name of Shimon the brother of Azaria.  The Gemora in Meseches
Sotah explains that Azaria was really Shimon’s younger brother.  The reason why
his name was referenced when mentioning what Shimon taught was because Azaria
was a business man and he supported his brother Shimon so that he could learn. 
Therefore, Azaria as well is credited with the halacha that his brother Shimon
taught.

Menaseh:  Isn’t that true as well regarding Yissachar
and Zevulun?

Oded:  That’s correct.  When the Torah refers to the
tents of Yissachar, i.e. their Torah learning, Zevulun’s name is referenced as
well since Zevulun supported Yissachar in order to enable them to fully
dedicate themselves to Torah study.

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. 6 Chap.  Par.
3

2) Sefer Chofetz Chaim Sec. 6 Chap.  Par. 3

Agaddah

Sefer Shmiras Haloshon Sha’ar HaTorah Chap. 5