Start Raking in the Profits!

Personally since I heard about it I thought it was a great lesson. The idea that for keeping silent - even when you could say something of value - but there is a danger of saying something forbidden - is worth double the value of saying something is so incredible. I highly recommend the Chofetz Chaim Lesson-A-Day book. I also remember there was the idea that after 120, for the times you kept silent, you could say that you weren't sure if speaking was forbidden in that particular instance. But if you spoke something forbidden in that instance then what would your excuse be?

From today's Hakhel Email:
Special Note Four: We continue our Three Week series on Chizuk and
care in Shemiras Halashon. Chazal teach: "A word for one sela,
silence for two". Incredibly, the value of silence is even greater
than the value of speech--even though it is with the power of speech
("Ruach Mellalela") that we are defined as human beings. In fact,
Rabban Shimon Ben Gamliel (Avos 1: 17--which beautifully incorporates
our lesson for the week from last week's Pirkei Avos) : "All my days I
was raised among the Chachamim, and I found nothing better for the
**body** than silence." Silence is not only better for the mouth, for
the brain and for the soul, but is actually better for the body as
well! (Rabbi Avigdor Miller, z'tl). In order for us to put this
essential teaching into practice,

-especially in a situation where speaking could lead to Lashon Hora,
Rabbi Jonathan Rietti, Shlita suggests that a person picture himself
as receiving $100,000.00 for each time that he remains appropriately
silent. Without doubt, the spiritual reward is immeasurably much
greater, and the average person challenged with such situations
perhaps ten times a day, can become more than a millionaire daily! It
is interesting to note, as Rabbi Rietti teaches, that although Rebbe
Yisroel Meir HaKohen Kagan, Zt'l, wrote a six-volume Mishne Berurah
which is such a great source of our Halachos today, and although he
authored many other Seforim as well, he is known to us all as the
"Chofetz Chaim" because of the primacy of this work, and its effect on
the last generations before the Moshiach. "Who is the Chofetz
Chaim--he who guards his tongue from speaking evil, and his lips from
guile" (Tehillim 34:15). Perhaps we can try Rabbi Rietti's suggested
exercise several times today. Practice that silence...and start
raking in the profits!

Hakhel Note: Of course, even when one does speak, it is important for
it to be "B'Nachas Im HaBrios--with pleasantness to the creations".
If one would review the Igeres HaRamban, he may agree that the most
oft-repeated theme in the Ramban's instructional letter to his son on
how one should lead his life is this point-—to speak softly and
respectfully to others.