Test Lesson
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 #2
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
Severity of
Habitual Loshon Horah
- In Tehilim (12, 4) Dovid Hamelech says that Hashem will
cut off the lips (in the world to come) of those who speak loshon horah. Does
that mean that if I slip once in a while I’m going to lose my lips?
- No. This severe punishment is reserved for those who
habitually and maliciously speak loshon horah with no regard for the fact
that Hashem clearly forbids it. These people are referred to by our sages
as Baalei Loshon Horah; as if to say that they own the sin as a
result of their constant violation. However, as we learned yesterday,
even with one violation, a person will transgress numerous positive and
negative commandments of Hashem.
- The Tosefta in Meseches Peah states that the sin of Loshon
horah is worse than the 3 cardinal sins and one who speaks loshon horah loses
his portion in the world to come. Is this also referring only to one who
habitually speaks loshon horah?
- Yes.
#2
Loshon
Horah Under Duress
- My Father is demanding that I tell him about an incident
that happened at work and I know it’s going to lead to loshon horah. Am I
obligated to obey my father in this case?
- You are not only exempt but even prohibited from acceding
to your father’s demands under these circumstances. The same would be
true if it was your Rebbi who was making such demands of you. Hashem
created us all and his commandments take priority over anyone else’s.
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: I see people who are doing quite well in
their business and they don’t dedicate any time for Torah study.
Oded: The first thing you must realize is that
things are not always as they seem.
Menaseh: What do you mean?
Oded: If a person earns more money than is decreed
upon him for the year, or if he earns the money in a time that is not his own,
he will lose it.
Menaseh: How will he lose it?
Oded: Hashem has many ways of extracting money from
where it doesn’t belong.
Menaseh: For example?
Oded: Medical bills, property damage, bandits, etc.
Menaseh: So you’re saying that by working extra
(i.e. the entire day without setting aside time for learning), a person will
not profit. If he procures more than was coming to him, he will lose it.
Oded: Correct.
If you have any
questions regarding these lessons, feel free to contact Rabbi Faivel Adelman by
hitting the reply button.
For information
about sponsorship opportunities, send a message to the following email
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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!!
Sources
Halachah
1) Sefer Chofetz Chaim Sec. 1 Chap. 1 Par.
3, 4
2) Sefer Chofetz Chaim Sec. 1 Chap. 1 Par. 5
Agaddah
Sefer Shmiras Haloshon Sha’ar Hatevunah Chap. 9
