606. The Chofetz Chaim writes that Hashem is willing to Judge his children with mercy even if one has done the worst sins, such as Avodah Zorah. However, if the "accuser" (aka the satan)is allowed to present one's sins, the hand of Hashem is, so to say, forced to deal strictly with us and punish us for our sins. However, we ourselves control the ability of the "accuser" to speak.
 
Inasmuch as we are treated by Hashem "mida kineged mida" - measure for measure, the single sin that permits the "accuser" to present all our other sins in heaven is the sin of "Loshon Hora". If one speaks slanderously about another Jew, the "accuser" is permitted to speak about him, and he is punished strictly for all his sins. If one refrains from this one sin of Loshon Hora, the accuser is prevented from speaking, and Hashem treats us mercifully despite our other sins.
 
There is therefore nothing more important for one's self and family before Yom Kippur than to do Teshuva on the sin of Loshon Hora, and to undertake to no longer speak or listen to Loshon Hora in the future. By doing so, one will silence the "accuser", and merit a good judgment for the coming year.
 
Chofetz Chaim Shmiras Haloshon Chelek1:Sha'ar Haz'chira, Perek 2, and Chelek2:Perek4
{For a complete treatment and better understanding of this concept see the Free Book link at the bottom of each dailyhalacha email}

 

Halacha L'Kovod Shabbos - "Using an Awning (aka Shlock) to cover a Sukkah"
Chazal placed a Rabbinic restriction on the making of temporary overhead structures (canopies, awnings etc.) known as an "ohel" because they bear a resemblance to "Boneh" - building structures, one of the 39 Av Melochos. As a general rule an Ohel canopy is not restricted unless three conditions are present;
 
1) It is needed to protect the area beneath, and
2) It has a width and air-space height of at least 1 Tefach, and
3) It is being made for the 1st time on Shabbos. (This means that adding to a previously existing Ohel is permissible).
 
It is permissible to open a folding table on Shabbos/Yom Tov even though the area beneath the table will be covered by a canopy (i.e. the table top) because the table is not placed there to protect the area beneath it.
 
It is permitted to use an awning over a Sukkah to protect it from rain if;

a) the plastic or other covering rests directly upon, or within a Tefach of the S'chach, or 
 

b) (even if it is more than a Tefach higher than the S'chach), the rolled awning or tarp is left unrolled and spread at least 1 Tefach over the Schach before Shabbos/Yom Tov  - so that when it is opened fully one is only adding to a previously existing Ohel, (The width of the roll itself does not count towards the 1 Tefach spread), or