Please Say/Whisper The Words Out Loud
Lesson 1 - Speaking TO people
There
is a special obligation to be careful not to cause a convert to Judaism
pain with words. We can violate this commandment when we remind
converts of anything that s/he might have done wrong in the past or by
making references to his/her family. Be extremely careful when talking
to a convert not to say things that can cause pain. For example "some
people say that only people with severe psychological difficulties will
convert to a different religion. What’s wrong with you?" or "I have a
difficult time relating to/trusting converts". This statement negates
the possibility of a person converting because of intellectual and
idealistic reasons.
Lesson 2 - Speaking ABOUT people
Two or
more people who tell you lashon hora are not to be believed. The
status of of two or more people as valid witnesses is only applicable
when they testify in a Jewish court. Even if their statement may affect
you personally, you are forbidden to accept it as the absolute
truth. Again you may only be cautious.
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Lashon Hora = Saying a derogatory/negative statement about someone else that is TRUE
Motzi Shaim Ra (Defamation of Character) = Saying a derogatory statement that is FALSE
About Whom is it Forbidden to Speak Lashon Hora
- Any Individual Jew - Alive or not, - adult or child, family member
(spouse, in-laws, parent, child, siblings), groups/sects of Jews,
Entire Jewish Nation
Rechilus - A word used to depict someone who goes to a person
and tells them what someone else has said about them.
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These lessons are derived from a few books:
Guard your Tongue: Adapted from Choeftz Chaim by Zelig Pliskin
The Power of Words by Zelig Pliskin
Chofetz
Chaim: A Lesson a Day - The Concepts and Laws of Proper Speech Arranged
for Daily Study By Shimon Finkleman and Yitzhok Berkowitz
Purity of Speech: A short lesson on the halachot of shmirat Halashon
Chofetz Chaim - A Daily Companion: Arranged by Reb Yehuda Zev Segal
Important Numbers
