1) It is forbidden to [unnecessarily] talk about impure things and actions or use words that refer to impure actions. (See Sefer Chareidim Perek 24:49)
This is referred to as "Nivul Peh, defiling the mouth".
Besides for the fact that such speech will lead to impure thoughts, such [unnecessary] speech in its own right is a sin, as the Torah (Devarim 23:15) says "V'Lo Yir'eh Becha Ervas Davar, and you shall not see anything revealed". The word "Davar" also means "word" and Chazal learn from this that a word (i.e. speaking) regarding Ervah is also forbidden. (See Talmud Yerushalmi Terumos Perek 1:6. See also Chareidim ibid., Mesilas Yesharim Perek 11 and Midrash Raba Vayikrah Perek 24:6)
2) Furthermore, Nivul Peh taints a Jew's Neshama. (See Chofetz Chaim in Sefer Nidchei Yisroel Perek 20)
One who [regularly] uses Nivul Peh is risking having his Tefilos rejected by Hashem and causing his Neshama to not be taken up to heaven when he goes to sleep at night and thus losing out on the nightly cleansing that a Jew's Neshama usually receives, spiritually an extremely dangerous thing to miss out on. (See Sefer Chareidim ibid. where he also refers to Nivul Peh as "Avi Avos Hatumah, the most severe kind of impurity)
Using Nivul Peh can unfortunately reverse seventy years' worth of good judgments against a person and cause him much suffering; whereas controlling one's mouth can reverse seventy years' worth of bad judgments and save a person much suffering. (See Talmud Shabbos 33a where the Gemara enumerates many other consequences of using Nivul Peh. Merubah Midah Tova M'Midas Puraniyos, good measures are always given more abundantly than their converse. See Rashi Shmos 20:6)
QUESTION & ANSWER CORNER
Reader Submitted Questions of interest on topics related to Halachos we covered, as well as other interesting topic and Answers.
These Q&A are taken from the Q & A pages on the Halacha For Today website.
Although the answers I give to questions are taken directly from the Sifrei HaPoskim, and aren't my own, they are still for study purposes only, NOT for Psak Halacha.
Questions can be emailed to HalachaForToday@Gmail.com
Reader's Question:
I am sitting Shivah this week. Is it permitted for me to read The Halacha for Today during this time?
Answer:
No, a mourner may only learn certain topics related to mourning, the Churban and other sad topics etc. See Shulchan Aruch Yoreh Deah Siman 384:4.
If one learns a certain thing (such as Chok L'Yisroel) or delivers a certain shiur consistently each and every day without skipping a day ever, a Rav should be consulted regarding the permissibilty of learning when in mourning R"L or on Tisha B'Av after Chatzos, as there are certain leniencies
CHIZUK CORNER
This section is dedicated L'Ilui Nishmas the late Telzer Rosh Yeshiva , HaRav Chaim Yaakov ben Rav Binyomin Moshe Stein Zatzal.
We will B'Ezras Hashem post here each day a short inspirational thought to help us all improve our lives and grow in our service of our Father in heaven, HaKadosh Baruch Hu.
IF YOU HAVE SOMETHING MEANINGFUL FOR THIS SECTION, PLEASE EMAIL IT TO HalachaForToday@Gmail.com
THANK YOU AND תזכו למצות!
זכר צדיק וקדוש לברכה
ה' מ'4;ה ר'3;ב'8;ו'8; צ'4;ר'4;י ר'3;ב'8;'0;ים ק'4;מ'0;ים ע'4;ל'4;י
HaShem, how numerous are my tormentors! The great rise up against me!
(Tehilim 3:2)
We have explained in the past that the word מה, while normally defined as how in a question form, can also be defined as an exclamation, as it is said (Tehillim 31:20) מ'4;ה ר'3;ב-טו'8;בְך'4; אֲשׁ'2;ר-צ'4;פ'3;נְת'8;'4; ל'8;'0;יר'1;א'2;יך'4;, how abundant is Your goodness that You have stored away for those that fear You.
Here too we can explain this verse to mean that Dovid was continuing his theme of gratitude by proclaiming, "how wondrous it is that HaShem has placed adversaries in my path," as every experience in life, no matter how tragic, is to help a person grow in spirituality.
Written by Rabbi Binyomin Adler; shabbostaamhachaim@gmail.com
Important Numbers
