© 2006 by Robert Lepor. All rights reserved.
All of the utterances that one speaks with his mouth are written down Above, [in Heaven]. [This follows] that which is brought in the Midrash [of] Parshas [Ki] Seitze (Devarim Rabbah: 6; 10): ““Do not allow your mouth to bring sin onto your flesh.” (Koheles: 5; 5) Is [it] really true [that the mouth brings sin upon the flesh]? Once the mouth [utters] the Lashon HaRa, it sins against the body, as it causes it to be stricken. [Therefore], “to bring sin to the flesh” [is literally the case], as the mouth sins against the flesh. What is the meaning [of the continuation of this verse from Koheles]: “…do not say before the angel that it was negligence.”? [This teaches that one should not say: “Behold, I will go and speak Lashon HaRa and no being will know [of my sin].” [For, in response to the aforementioned statement], The Holy One, Blessed is He, says to him: “You should be aware that I am sending an angel, and he will be standing at your side and will write [down] everything that you utter against your fellow.”[1]
[The following is taken] from the holy letter of the GR”A[2], “Alim Li’Tirufah”:
“Everyone will be brought in judgment for every utterance, [that judgment will not overlook] even a “light utterance”. Therefore, I warn you to accustom yourself as much as possible to dwell in solitude, for the sin of the tongue is upon everything. [This follows] that which [our Sages] of Blessed Memory have said: “These are the things for which a person eats [their fruits in this world, and the principle remains for him to receive in The World to Come]… and Lashon HaRa is equivalent to all of them.”[3] What [need is there] for me to go on at length concerning this sin [of Lashon HaRa] which is more severe than all of the [other] sins? [Concerning the phrase] “All of the toil of a person is for his mouth.”, (Koheles: 6; 7) – Our Sages of Blessed Memory have said [in Koheles Rabbah], that all of the mitzvos [one performs] and [the] Torah [that one learns], is insufficient [to combat] that which one utters from his mouth. What is the trade of a person in this world? He should [act] like a mute and he should stick his lips together like millstones… The entire arch of the slingshot, [with which he is punished], is due to the breath of his mouth that [he emits when he speaks] idle words. For each word of nonsense, his [soul] needs to be shot from one end of the universe to the other end [of the universe]. [This punishment] is entirely due to words of excess. However, [when one utters] forbidden words, such as Lashon HaRa, mockery, oaths, vows, [words of] dispute, and curses, specifically in the synagogue, and on Shabbos and Yom Tov, for these, one must descend very far downward [in] gehinnom. [The punishment is so great] that it is impossible to imagine the great afflictions and troubles that one suffers as a result of one utterance. No utterance [that one utters] is lost and left unwritten, for angels constantly go by every single person and [never] separate from him, [all the while] writing down every single utterance. [This follows that which is written in the following pasuk]: “For a bird of the Heavens will carry the voice and a master of wings will relate the matter.” (Koheles: 10; 20) [Another pasuk states]: “Do not allow your mouth to bring sin to your flesh, and do not say before the angel, ‘For it was negligence’, Why should [G-d become angry concerning your voice and destroy the work of your hands?]” (Koheles: 5; 5)…”
[1] The teaching from Devarim Rabbah reads as follows: ““…Do not allow your mouth to bring sin onto your flesh.” (Koheles: 5; 5) The rabbis say that this pasuk refers to habitual speakers of Lashon HaRa. To what does “…Do not allow your mouth [to bring sin against your flesh] refer? Is this really true [that the mouth brings sin upon the flesh]? Once the mouth [utters] the Lashon HaRa, it sins against the body, as it causes it to be stricken. [Therefore], “to bring sin to the flesh” [is literally the case], as the mouth sins against the flesh. What is the meaning [of the continuation of this verse from Koheles]: “…do not say before the angel that it was negligence.”? [This teaches that one should not say: “Behold, I will go and speak Lashon HaRa and no being will know [of my sin].” [For, in response to the aforementioned statement], The Holy One, Blessed is He, says to him: “You should be aware that I am sending an angel, and he will be standing at your side and will write [down] everything that you utter against your fellow.” What [is the source for an angel recording all of one’s words]? As it says, (Koheles: 10; 20) “Also in your thoughts do not curse the King…” Why? “…For a bird of the Heavens will carry the voice…” What is the meaning of “…and a master of wings will tell the thing”? These [“masters of wings”] are the angels, about whom it is written, “…six wings, six wings, for [each] one…” (Yeshayahu: 6; 10), “…Why shall G-d become angry about your voice? …” (Koheles: 5; 5) – Concerning that voice which you uttered from your mouth. “…And destroy the work of your hands.” – For that person is stricken with afflictions. If you do not believe this, behold, Miriam was afflicted as a result of speaking Lashon HaRa against her brother, Moshe. [We are commanded] “To remember that which [HaShem, your G-d did when you were on the path, when you left Egypt].” (Devarim: 24; 9) Due to this [sin of Lashon HaRa, Miriam] was stricken [with tzara’as].
[2] The GR”A (Acronym for Gaon Rav Eliyahu, Rabbi Eliyahu Kramer (1720 – 1797), commonly known as the Vilna Gaon (Great one of Vilna).
[3] Note from the “Kol HaLashon” printing of sefer “Shmiras HaLashon”: [The GR”A is referring] to that which we copied in the name of the [Talmud] Yerushalmi, [maseches] “Peah” (chapter 1, halacha 1). The GR”A also [wrote] this [teaching] down in his book “Shnos Eliyahu”, in the mishnayos of [maseches] Peah (chapter 1, mishna 1), in the commentary of the “Aruch”, beginning with the words “v’heivaisah shalom” – “and bringing peace”.
[The following is taken] from the holy letter of the GR”A[2], “Alim Li’Tirufah”:
“Everyone will be brought in judgment for every utterance, [that judgment will not overlook] even a “light utterance”. Therefore, I warn you to accustom yourself as much as possible to dwell in solitude, for the sin of the tongue is upon everything. [This follows] that which [our Sages] of Blessed Memory have said: “These are the things for which a person eats [their fruits in this world, and the principle remains for him to receive in The World to Come]… and Lashon HaRa is equivalent to all of them.”[3] What [need is there] for me to go on at length concerning this sin [of Lashon HaRa] which is more severe than all of the [other] sins? [Concerning the phrase] “All of the toil of a person is for his mouth.”, (Koheles: 6; 7) – Our Sages of Blessed Memory have said [in Koheles Rabbah], that all of the mitzvos [one performs] and [the] Torah [that one learns], is insufficient [to combat] that which one utters from his mouth. What is the trade of a person in this world? He should [act] like a mute and he should stick his lips together like millstones… The entire arch of the slingshot, [with which he is punished], is due to the breath of his mouth that [he emits when he speaks] idle words. For each word of nonsense, his [soul] needs to be shot from one end of the universe to the other end [of the universe]. [This punishment] is entirely due to words of excess. However, [when one utters] forbidden words, such as Lashon HaRa, mockery, oaths, vows, [words of] dispute, and curses, specifically in the synagogue, and on Shabbos and Yom Tov, for these, one must descend very far downward [in] gehinnom. [The punishment is so great] that it is impossible to imagine the great afflictions and troubles that one suffers as a result of one utterance. No utterance [that one utters] is lost and left unwritten, for angels constantly go by every single person and [never] separate from him, [all the while] writing down every single utterance. [This follows that which is written in the following pasuk]: “For a bird of the Heavens will carry the voice and a master of wings will relate the matter.” (Koheles: 10; 20) [Another pasuk states]: “Do not allow your mouth to bring sin to your flesh, and do not say before the angel, ‘For it was negligence’, Why should [G-d become angry concerning your voice and destroy the work of your hands?]” (Koheles: 5; 5)…”
[1] The teaching from Devarim Rabbah reads as follows: ““…Do not allow your mouth to bring sin onto your flesh.” (Koheles: 5; 5) The rabbis say that this pasuk refers to habitual speakers of Lashon HaRa. To what does “…Do not allow your mouth [to bring sin against your flesh] refer? Is this really true [that the mouth brings sin upon the flesh]? Once the mouth [utters] the Lashon HaRa, it sins against the body, as it causes it to be stricken. [Therefore], “to bring sin to the flesh” [is literally the case], as the mouth sins against the flesh. What is the meaning [of the continuation of this verse from Koheles]: “…do not say before the angel that it was negligence.”? [This teaches that one should not say: “Behold, I will go and speak Lashon HaRa and no being will know [of my sin].” [For, in response to the aforementioned statement], The Holy One, Blessed is He, says to him: “You should be aware that I am sending an angel, and he will be standing at your side and will write [down] everything that you utter against your fellow.” What [is the source for an angel recording all of one’s words]? As it says, (Koheles: 10; 20) “Also in your thoughts do not curse the King…” Why? “…For a bird of the Heavens will carry the voice…” What is the meaning of “…and a master of wings will tell the thing”? These [“masters of wings”] are the angels, about whom it is written, “…six wings, six wings, for [each] one…” (Yeshayahu: 6; 10), “…Why shall G-d become angry about your voice? …” (Koheles: 5; 5) – Concerning that voice which you uttered from your mouth. “…And destroy the work of your hands.” – For that person is stricken with afflictions. If you do not believe this, behold, Miriam was afflicted as a result of speaking Lashon HaRa against her brother, Moshe. [We are commanded] “To remember that which [HaShem, your G-d did when you were on the path, when you left Egypt].” (Devarim: 24; 9) Due to this [sin of Lashon HaRa, Miriam] was stricken [with tzara’as].
[2] The GR”A (Acronym for Gaon Rav Eliyahu, Rabbi Eliyahu Kramer (1720 – 1797), commonly known as the Vilna Gaon (Great one of Vilna).
[3] Note from the “Kol HaLashon” printing of sefer “Shmiras HaLashon”: [The GR”A is referring] to that which we copied in the name of the [Talmud] Yerushalmi, [maseches] “Peah” (chapter 1, halacha 1). The GR”A also [wrote] this [teaching] down in his book “Shnos Eliyahu”, in the mishnayos of [maseches] Peah (chapter 1, mishna 1), in the commentary of the “Aruch”, beginning with the words “v’heivaisah shalom” – “and bringing peace”.
2 comments:
Hey Rovvy -- Just wanted to wish you a hearty yasher koach on this site. What a beautiful project, and what a wonderful way to make this world a better place. Your translation is also extremely accurate and quite professional, I must say. May you continue with this most worthwhile endeavor, and go from strength to strength with similar projects in the future.
It was great to see you the other day! With best wishes for a chag sameach, Zev
It was great seeing you and Robbie. Wishing you and your families a chag kasher v'sameach. Also, please pass my wishes on to Michael. Thanks for your compliment on the translation. You should also have great success in your good endeavors.
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