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.
Prohibitions number 8 & 9: The posuk in Vayikra 19:18 says:
"You shall not take vengeance nor bear any grudge against the children of your people"
If you are angry at someone because he refused to grant you some favor and in revenge you speak loshon hora about him, you have violated these two prohibitions, in addition to having spoken loshon hora. For recalling that person's refusal to render you assistance, you are guilty of bearing a grudge. For slandering him, you are guilty of taking vengeance. You are obligated to forget the entire incident.
(Guard Your Tongue - Rabbi Zelig Pliskin)
A One Minute a Day Torah Thought !
"HaShem did not allow Yaakov Avinu to disclose the end - the period of time in the future when the Jews will experience the true geulah - redemption. Because in order to do so, he would have to mention the generation preceding Mashiach, a generation which will be known for their chutzpah, their ignorance, and their lack of mitzvah observance. HaShem did not want Yaakov to say anything bad about the Jewish people.".
(Rav Simcha Bunim of P'shischah ZT"L - Sefer Torah Tavlin)
The Power of Prayer
The nation of Israel comes from Yaakov, but it would never have come into existence naturally, because Rivka was physically unable to have children. Even with all their righteousness Yitzchak and Rivka would never have had children had they not prayed, for only through prayer was their nature changed. This means that the entire existence of Israel is the result only of the power of prayer!".
(Pathway to Prayer, Rabbi Meyer Birnbaum) |
