The Chofetz Chaim enumerated 31 Torah Commandments which may be violated when a person speaks or listens to loshon hora. There are 17 prohibitions and 14 positive Commandments - a total of 31 Commandments.
Prohibition number 2: The posuk in Shmos 23:1 says:
"You shall not utter a false report"
This verse is also rendered as "You shall not accept a false report" (Pesachim 118a).
This prohibition bans the speaking or accepting of loshon hora.
Prohibition number 3: The posuk in Devorim 24:8 says:
"Take heed concerning the plague of leprosy"
The Sifri explains that this verse refers to loshon hora which is punishable by the infliction of leprosy.
(Guard Your Tongue - Rabbi Zelig Pliskin)
A One Minute a Day Torah Thought !
"Before Yaakov Avinu passed away, he called together his sons and told them they must stay unified, and they would remain unconquerable. This is what unity is all about. The nations of the world each pull their own way, but we, the Jewish People, who live together in harmony and unity, are invincible.".
(Rabbi Chaim Volozhiner ZT"L - Sefer Torah Tavlin)
A Touch of Kindness - Story
There was a new exhibit at the Aquarium that we were excited to see. We patiently waited in line for nearly 30 minutes. It was a rainy day and we were hoping we'd make it to the canopy before the next shower began.
We finally get to the clerk without getting soaked! I asked for 1 adult and 2 children tickets but the clerk told me that they no longer take checks. I was $4.00 short in cash for the tickets. I didn't have a credit card, but I could leave the line and use the ATM machine and start over.
Needless to say, I was dreading staying in line again with two little anxious guys (who, by the way, were troopers about the wait.) The couple in line next to me heard the dilemma and handed me the $4.00 and said enjoy!
Such selfless acts from strangers truly warm my heart. And what a good example my children witnessed!
(reprinted with permission - A Touch of Kindness. Org) |
