Posts
BE"H
This is the 5th installment in a series about improving our speech, l'ilui nishmat Saul Bruckner, a'h.
The following is taken from a recent Hakhel email:
D. In last week's Haftara, the Navi Hoshea (14:2,3), after urging us to do Teshuva (Shuva Yisroel!) immediately instructs us on how to do Teshuva with the words "Kechu Imachem Devorim Veshuvu El Hashem--take words with you and return to Hashem. We must take our words with us--we must realize (as the Vidui Booklet points out) that a GREAT NUMBER of the sins we mention in the Vidui of Yom Kippur have to do with misuse and abuse of that great power that distinguishes us from animal--our power of speech. The Chofetz Chaim teaches that if we are more circumspect with our speech, we can be free of the following Issurim:
1. Lashon Hora--brings many, many other aveiros along with it and can destroy relationships, families and lives
2. Rechilus--as above, and perhaps even more hurtful to the person
3. Sheker-while Hashem's seal is Emes!
4. Chanufa--including egging on...'you're right!'
5. Laitzanus--mockery, poking fun, ridicule
6. Ona'as Devorim--hurtful or insulting words
7. Halbanas Panim--one reader pointed out that embarrassing another in public causes one to forfeit his share in Olam Haba--and then asked if this is so --is this the greatest aveira--even greater than Chillul Hashem....
8. Divrei Ga'avah--words of arrogance--even though the sign of greatness is humility (Iggeres Haramban)
9. Divrei Machlokes--fighting, argumentative words
10. Divrei Ka'as --words of anger that you won't be able to take back.
Perhaps we can keep this list around near a place(s) where we can look at it before we are about to make a statement or comment, or have a conversation, that is not within our usual manner of speech. Remember the VERY FIRST words of instruction of the Navi--Kechu Imachem Devorim--VeShuvu el Hashem! May you hear your success--with your very own ears!
Please feel free to contact me with any questions and I can try to answer/clarify them as best as I can. If not I can attempt to refer you to an authority who can.
Thank you for reading,
Esther Asna
Showing posts with label Chofetz Chaim. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Chofetz Chaim. Show all posts
Tuesday, October 11, 2011
Wednesday, October 5, 2011
Nivul Peh Taints One's Neshama -
BE"H
This is the 3rd installment in a series about improving our speech, l'ilui nishmat Saul Bruckner, a'h. This is Part 2 to yesterday's Part 1 from Halacha for Today.
The following is taken from http://www.frumtoronto.com/Blogger.asp?BlogCategoryID=96&ShowEntryID=5982
It's from the site and email list of http://www.halachafortoday.com
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)
Blogger's note: What amazing hashgacha - I just ran into the above-referenced passage in the Gemara in Rav Falk's book on Tzniut. More on that tomorrow, G-d willing.
Please feel free to contact me with any questions and I can try to answer/clarify them as best as I can. If not I can attempt to refer you to an authority who can.
Thank you for reading,
Esther Asna
This is the 3rd installment in a series about improving our speech, l'ilui nishmat Saul Bruckner, a'h. This is Part 2 to yesterday's Part 1 from Halacha for Today.
The following is taken from http://www.frumtoronto.com/Blogger.asp?BlogCategoryID=96&ShowEntryID=5982
It's from the site and email list of http://www.halachafortoday.com
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)
Blogger's note: What amazing hashgacha - I just ran into the above-referenced passage in the Gemara in Rav Falk's book on Tzniut. More on that tomorrow, G-d willing.
Please feel free to contact me with any questions and I can try to answer/clarify them as best as I can. If not I can attempt to refer you to an authority who can.
Thank you for reading,
Esther Asna
Friday, September 3, 2010
Yartzeit/Hillula of Chafetz Chaim HaKadosh Today
Shabbat Shalom!
From today's Hakhel email:
Special Note Four: Today is the Yahrzeit of the Chofetz Chaim. We provide a sampling of his essential teachings, excerpted from the excellent Sefer, Give Us Life, collected and edited by HaRav Mendel Weinbach, Shlita:
1. Everything approaching its end summons all of its energies for a last stand. A candle’s brightest flame appears before it dies, and it is always darkest before dawn. The power of evil is approaching its end so it has summoned all of its resources and massed the greatest attack in history on the forces of good.
2. People often say “This world is also a world,” but the truth is that “Only this world is a world” because only here can a person improve and accomplish. This is the World of Action, the World to Come is only for the reward.
3. Good manners require a person to carefully prepare for an audience with an important official. If one is privileged to see the king, he takes several days to get ready. So if Chazal tell us that we must prepare for a lifetime before entering the palace of the King of Kings we must appreciate how supremely exalted this palace must be.
4. The reward mentioned by the Torah for certain Mitzvohs such as honoring parents is not their real payment for that is only due in the World to Come. The small reward we receive in the meantime is like the meals given to the king’s soldiers which are not subtracted from their pay.
5. Teshuva must be performed with great energy. A person should return to Hashem with at least the same degree of enthusiasm and energy with which he had sinned.
6. The greatest sinner will be called to account for the slightest wrongdoing because his terrible record is no license for further evil. The Rambam writes that the wicked King Yerovom will be punished for not fulfilling the mitzvah of Eruv Tavshilin.
7. Just as there are rich and poor, strong and weak, so do people vary in their talents and abilities in Avodas Hashem. The Torah therefore commands; “You shall love Hashem with *your* heart, *your* soul and *your* might--each man according to his particular powers. Additionally, the real meaning of “all your might” is whatever is most precious to you--Chazal knew that to most people money is the most precious item. However, to someone who Torah and Mitzvos is most precious, he must be prepared to sacrifice even these, if necessary, for the honor of Hashem. A Rosh Yeshiva, for example, must be prepared to sacrifice his own Torah study--his “all your might”--in order that Torah may flourish among his disciples.
8. An orderly, efficient shopkeeper knows exactly where each item in his stock is located and its precise value. An orderly Jew does every act with Hashem in mind because he knows that the simplest act--like the simplest ware--can bring a tremendous profit if it is used correctly.
9. One of the signs given by Chazal of a madman is that he sleeps overnight in a graveyard. A man has the opportunity of returning from the grave to a new and eternal life by studying or supporting Torah. If he wastes this opportunity and remains forever sleeping in the graveyard, he is truly a madman.
10. If you should ask your wife for Shabbos Kugel on Friday she will suggest that you eat something else because “ this Kugel is for Shabbos”. Honor is like Kugel and is only to be enjoyed on the day which is forever Shabbos--Olam Haba. If you eat the Kugel today, you may go hungry on Shabbos.
11. HaRav Yisroel Salanter, Z’tl, compared momentary interruption in Torah study to the uprooting of two feet of railway track from a line stretching for thousands of miles. Just as this seemingly insignificant act can wreak havoc upon the railroad, so too can a break in Torah study.
12. I am neither a Chosid or a Misnagid. My only ambition is to fulfill what is written in Shulchan Aruch. Chazal teach that a person will be asked whether he set aside times for Torah study and whether he dealt honestly in business. There is no mention of ever being asked whether one is a Chosid or Misnagid.
13. Even a small storekeeper keeps a record to know the small amounts that his customers owe him. Let us not fail to keep records of our life in this world--for it affects us for eternity.
14. A Torah supporter gives a few copper coins and the institution he supports gives him a share in an eternal Torah.
15. What good is our Selichos if all we do is tell Hashem our sins? He knows them well enough already. Our duty is to resolve not to repeat our foolishness!
From today's Hakhel email:
Special Note Four: Today is the Yahrzeit of the Chofetz Chaim. We provide a sampling of his essential teachings, excerpted from the excellent Sefer, Give Us Life, collected and edited by HaRav Mendel Weinbach, Shlita:
1. Everything approaching its end summons all of its energies for a last stand. A candle’s brightest flame appears before it dies, and it is always darkest before dawn. The power of evil is approaching its end so it has summoned all of its resources and massed the greatest attack in history on the forces of good.
2. People often say “This world is also a world,” but the truth is that “Only this world is a world” because only here can a person improve and accomplish. This is the World of Action, the World to Come is only for the reward.
3. Good manners require a person to carefully prepare for an audience with an important official. If one is privileged to see the king, he takes several days to get ready. So if Chazal tell us that we must prepare for a lifetime before entering the palace of the King of Kings we must appreciate how supremely exalted this palace must be.
4. The reward mentioned by the Torah for certain Mitzvohs such as honoring parents is not their real payment for that is only due in the World to Come. The small reward we receive in the meantime is like the meals given to the king’s soldiers which are not subtracted from their pay.
5. Teshuva must be performed with great energy. A person should return to Hashem with at least the same degree of enthusiasm and energy with which he had sinned.
6. The greatest sinner will be called to account for the slightest wrongdoing because his terrible record is no license for further evil. The Rambam writes that the wicked King Yerovom will be punished for not fulfilling the mitzvah of Eruv Tavshilin.
7. Just as there are rich and poor, strong and weak, so do people vary in their talents and abilities in Avodas Hashem. The Torah therefore commands; “You shall love Hashem with *your* heart, *your* soul and *your* might--each man according to his particular powers. Additionally, the real meaning of “all your might” is whatever is most precious to you--Chazal knew that to most people money is the most precious item. However, to someone who Torah and Mitzvos is most precious, he must be prepared to sacrifice even these, if necessary, for the honor of Hashem. A Rosh Yeshiva, for example, must be prepared to sacrifice his own Torah study--his “all your might”--in order that Torah may flourish among his disciples.
8. An orderly, efficient shopkeeper knows exactly where each item in his stock is located and its precise value. An orderly Jew does every act with Hashem in mind because he knows that the simplest act--like the simplest ware--can bring a tremendous profit if it is used correctly.
9. One of the signs given by Chazal of a madman is that he sleeps overnight in a graveyard. A man has the opportunity of returning from the grave to a new and eternal life by studying or supporting Torah. If he wastes this opportunity and remains forever sleeping in the graveyard, he is truly a madman.
10. If you should ask your wife for Shabbos Kugel on Friday she will suggest that you eat something else because “ this Kugel is for Shabbos”. Honor is like Kugel and is only to be enjoyed on the day which is forever Shabbos--Olam Haba. If you eat the Kugel today, you may go hungry on Shabbos.
11. HaRav Yisroel Salanter, Z’tl, compared momentary interruption in Torah study to the uprooting of two feet of railway track from a line stretching for thousands of miles. Just as this seemingly insignificant act can wreak havoc upon the railroad, so too can a break in Torah study.
12. I am neither a Chosid or a Misnagid. My only ambition is to fulfill what is written in Shulchan Aruch. Chazal teach that a person will be asked whether he set aside times for Torah study and whether he dealt honestly in business. There is no mention of ever being asked whether one is a Chosid or Misnagid.
13. Even a small storekeeper keeps a record to know the small amounts that his customers owe him. Let us not fail to keep records of our life in this world--for it affects us for eternity.
14. A Torah supporter gives a few copper coins and the institution he supports gives him a share in an eternal Torah.
15. What good is our Selichos if all we do is tell Hashem our sins? He knows them well enough already. Our duty is to resolve not to repeat our foolishness!
Monday, July 5, 2010
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.
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.
Wednesday, June 23, 2010
Yearning for the Redemption
How "convenient" that today's Hakhel email speaks about our general topic of this blog!
Special Note Two: At a recent gathering, HaRav Mattisyahu Salomon, Shlita, spoke on the topic of Tzipisa L’Yeshua--yearning for the Redemption. In light of recent world events, he noted, Yeshua may not be too far away. HaRav Salomon taught that yearning for the Redemption is an Avodah SheBelav--our thoughts must long for the moment. When we recite the important words in Aleinu of “Al Kein Nekave...liros meheira--we yearn to speedily see soon your mighty splendor...to perfect the universe through Your sovereignty”, the words must emanate not from our lips, but from the recesses of our hearts and minds.
HaRav Salomon related in the name of the Chofetz Chaim the story of a man on the street who was impatiently pacing back and forth. When asked by a bystander what it was exactly that he was waiting for, he tersely responded “For my cab--my flight is leaving in two hours and the cab is not here!” Looking around, the onlooker then queried “But I see no luggage--where is your luggage?!” Startled, the man realized he had no luggage because he had neglected to pack! HaRav Salomon explained that we cannot legitimately say that we are “Mechakim Anachnu Lach” unless we have "packed"--for without the luggage there can be no real trip.
The twelfth of the thirteen Foundations of our Faith--the Ani Ma’amins succinctly describes our belief in the Moshiach’s arrival--there are really two elements. The first is BeVias HaMoshiach--that there is a Moshiach and that he will come. There is, however, a second essential belief as well. It is Ve’af Al Pi Sheyismahmaiah--even if there may be delay, nevertheless I anticipate every day that he will come. In other words, it is not enough to believe that there is a Moshiach and that he will come--one must also be a Mechakeh--truly and sincerely yearn and long for him to come daily. When saying the words “Achakeh Lo Bechol Yom She Yavo--I await his arrival every day, one is asserting an essential declaration of faith--that he expects Moshiach to come at any time.
Rav Salomon referred to the Rambam in Hilchos Melachim (12:5) which states that in the time of Moshiach there will not be any famine or war, no jealousy or contention. Everything we need will be plentiful as the sand. The times will be wondrous, as in lieu of physical (and yes, even technological) pursuits we will be involved only in the area of “LoDaas Es Hashem--spiritual elevation and fulfillment--with mankind at its summit. Our Avodah *now* is to yearn for these times--daily. We know that they will come, and that every day that passes brings us a day closer. Each day should be marked by our true and sincere prayers when we recite our Tefillos such as ‘Al Kein Nekaveh Lecha...VeSimloch Aleinu Mehaira…Ki MiChakim Anachnu Lach.” Certainly when reciting the Ani Ma’amin we should visualize the pristine joy of his coming on the very day itself.
We must think and long for the Geulah--for our longing for it will make it a reality!
Special Note Two: At a recent gathering, HaRav Mattisyahu Salomon, Shlita, spoke on the topic of Tzipisa L’Yeshua--yearning for the Redemption. In light of recent world events, he noted, Yeshua may not be too far away. HaRav Salomon taught that yearning for the Redemption is an Avodah SheBelav--our thoughts must long for the moment. When we recite the important words in Aleinu of “Al Kein Nekave...liros meheira--we yearn to speedily see soon your mighty splendor...to perfect the universe through Your sovereignty”, the words must emanate not from our lips, but from the recesses of our hearts and minds.
HaRav Salomon related in the name of the Chofetz Chaim the story of a man on the street who was impatiently pacing back and forth. When asked by a bystander what it was exactly that he was waiting for, he tersely responded “For my cab--my flight is leaving in two hours and the cab is not here!” Looking around, the onlooker then queried “But I see no luggage--where is your luggage?!” Startled, the man realized he had no luggage because he had neglected to pack! HaRav Salomon explained that we cannot legitimately say that we are “Mechakim Anachnu Lach” unless we have "packed"--for without the luggage there can be no real trip.
The twelfth of the thirteen Foundations of our Faith--the Ani Ma’amins succinctly describes our belief in the Moshiach’s arrival--there are really two elements. The first is BeVias HaMoshiach--that there is a Moshiach and that he will come. There is, however, a second essential belief as well. It is Ve’af Al Pi Sheyismahmaiah--even if there may be delay, nevertheless I anticipate every day that he will come. In other words, it is not enough to believe that there is a Moshiach and that he will come--one must also be a Mechakeh--truly and sincerely yearn and long for him to come daily. When saying the words “Achakeh Lo Bechol Yom She Yavo--I await his arrival every day, one is asserting an essential declaration of faith--that he expects Moshiach to come at any time.
Rav Salomon referred to the Rambam in Hilchos Melachim (12:5) which states that in the time of Moshiach there will not be any famine or war, no jealousy or contention. Everything we need will be plentiful as the sand. The times will be wondrous, as in lieu of physical (and yes, even technological) pursuits we will be involved only in the area of “LoDaas Es Hashem--spiritual elevation and fulfillment--with mankind at its summit. Our Avodah *now* is to yearn for these times--daily. We know that they will come, and that every day that passes brings us a day closer. Each day should be marked by our true and sincere prayers when we recite our Tefillos such as ‘Al Kein Nekaveh Lecha...VeSimloch Aleinu Mehaira…Ki MiChakim Anachnu Lach.” Certainly when reciting the Ani Ma’amin we should visualize the pristine joy of his coming on the very day itself.
We must think and long for the Geulah--for our longing for it will make it a reality!
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