Dedicated to Rabbi Casriel Brusowankin, of Aventura Chabad, whose birthday is today. Today is also the yahrzeit of the Arizal, on whose works our modern day understanding of the Kaballah is based.
It is certainly no coincidence that the name of the previous book of the Torah we just finished (Bamidbar) and of the one we are starting this Shabat (Devarim) come from the word "davar," which means "word."
Speech is so essential and so incredibly powerful, yet we so often completely underestimate it. We forget that the main way we communicate with Hashem and connect with Him is through speech, and that the main way in which distance ourselves from Him and from each other is also through speech: Lashon Harah (literally "evil tongue").
The Arizal himself was extremely careful with his speech, to the point that for two whole years he spoke very seldom to any human being (even to his wife, but don't try this at home :) ). Only when absolutely necessary he would speak in the Holy Tongue, and with the least number of words. (For more information on the life of the Arizal, click here).
The Talmud (Erchin, 15b) states that because of three sins a person may lose his portion in the World to Come: Murder, Adultery, and Idol Worship. Yet, there is a forth sin that is equivalent to these three: Lashon Harah.
The main hero in the fight against Lashon Harah was a Tzadik (saintly person) by the name of the Chofetz Chaim. His name comes from the book he wrote on the laws of proper speech, based on the verse from Psalm 34: "Who is the man that desires life ("Chofetz Chaim")? Guard your tongue from evil and your lips from speaking deceit." By the way, the Chofetz Chaim lived to the age of 95. He also wrote today's most prominent work on the Shulchan Aruch, entitled the Mishna Brurah. Before passing away in 1933, the Chofetz Chaim foretold the great darkness that was about to overtake all of Europe. (For more information on the Chofetz Chaim, and for his entire book on proper speech online, click here).
We are now in the midst of a period of nine days of mourning, which culminate this Tuesday, with Tisha B'Av, the date of the destruction of the first two Holy Temples in Jerusalem, and a day to reflect upon all the great tragedies that have befallen our people, including the horrors of the Holocaust. It is important that during this time the we understand the power of speech and work to improve it. We must also work on our power of hearing speech in the proper, positive way. By doing so, we will reverse all the baseless hatred that caused the destruction of the two Temples, and transform it into what we need in order to see the eternal Third Temple rebuilt: Baseless Love.
If you need any help loving your fellow as yourself, I recommend contacting Rabbi Casriel Brusowankin at 305 933 0770.
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