© 2006 by Robert Lepor. All rights reserved.
Behold, when the [receptive] person contemplates the words of the Holy Zohar quoted above, focusing with an open eye on that which comes into existence [as result of] his words, he will be full of fear, trembling, and tremors, rather than speak any [Lashon HaRa] against his fellow. Would it not be that if a person [were told] that he himself should enter the sanctuary of HaShem or send someone in his place, and he will stand before the Ark of His Covenant, [to] prosecute against the Jewish People, not saying [that which is] untrue about them, only [relaying information] which he knows to be true, it is clear, that even the most contemptible of the Jews would [rather] place himself in danger, and will not burden himself with the guilt of [such a great] sin. Is the same not true [with regards to] Lashon HaRa? For [the] gossip that [the individual] arouses in his mouth rises Above, [to Heaven], before the Throne of HaShem Yisbarach’s Glory. [The above is] explicitly taught in Tanna Dvei Eliyahu[1], as follows: “Just as the evildoers speak slander, and it rises opposite the Throne of Glory, similarly… [The speaker of Lashon HaRa] with [his forbidden speech] arouses the great prosecutor against the Jewish People, as is mentioned earlier, in the name of the Holy Zohar[2].
Behold, from all [that which we have learned], we can understand the great punishment that is fitting to befall [the speaker of slander, both] in this world and in The World to Come, [as a result of] this bitter sin. Therefore, Dovid HaMelech, Alav HaShalom, warned us, that when we desire to live the eternal life in The World to Come and [enjoy] good days in this world, [we] should, [first of all], guard [our] tongues from [speaking that which is] evil. How greatly must we be embarrassed and ashamed from [before] The Holy One, Blessed is He, on the High Holy Days [when] we entreat Him “Silence the Prosecutor and take the defense in his place”, [while] we ourselves, through our Lashon HaRa, arouse [the Prosecutor], giving him the power to prosecute [against us]. May HaShem place love, brotherhood, peace and friendship in our midst. [Amen!]
[1] This teaching is found in Eliyahu Rabbah, chapter 18, section 82.
[2] See the fifteenth day for more from this quote from the Zohar.
Behold, from all [that which we have learned], we can understand the great punishment that is fitting to befall [the speaker of slander, both] in this world and in The World to Come, [as a result of] this bitter sin. Therefore, Dovid HaMelech, Alav HaShalom, warned us, that when we desire to live the eternal life in The World to Come and [enjoy] good days in this world, [we] should, [first of all], guard [our] tongues from [speaking that which is] evil. How greatly must we be embarrassed and ashamed from [before] The Holy One, Blessed is He, on the High Holy Days [when] we entreat Him “Silence the Prosecutor and take the defense in his place”, [while] we ourselves, through our Lashon HaRa, arouse [the Prosecutor], giving him the power to prosecute [against us]. May HaShem place love, brotherhood, peace and friendship in our midst. [Amen!]
[1] This teaching is found in Eliyahu Rabbah, chapter 18, section 82.
[2] See the fifteenth day for more from this quote from the Zohar.
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