Shmiras HaLashon ל חשון - Cheshvan 30 - Sixtieth Day

© 2006 by Robert Lepor. All rights reserved.

My brother, take note, that if ten people were to stand together, and one of them is grabbed [by] the collar for some injustice [he is suspected of having committed, and is] taken to the courthouse [in order to] question and thoroughly investigate him concerning [a crime he is suspected of having committed, it being alleged] that he [had] performed an improper [action. Notwithstanding that] he did not admit to [having committed] this [crime], the remaining nine [people who were in contact with him] are subsequently taken by their collars [to the courthouse, in order] to question them as well concerning this matter [of which the first is accused]. Perhaps, [by questioning those nine individuals], the [truth of the] matter [at hand] will be revealed. Though [these nine individuals brought to the courthouse] presume to themselves that they are guiltless, and were [therefore] only taken by the collar to [to the courthouse in order to] reveal the deceit in the heart of the first one, nevertheless, their hearts are broken within them, and they are greatly troubled [at having been] in the same gathering with the first individual, for due to the first person, all of this trouble befell them. Later on, when HaShem helps them, [and] they emerge [from the courthouse] in peace, without mishap, they are exceedingly careful to avoid being part of [the same group] with such a person, lest this same [unfortunate circumstance] befall them again. How much more so [is this true] in our matter, for it is known that L’Asid Lavo[1], the speaker, and the listener, and all those who accompany them in this evil group, will be punished. [The aforementioned follows] that which was written earlier, in chapter thirteen, in the name of Pirkei D’Rabbi Eliezer (the Will of Rabbi Eliezer). [Therefore], a person must make a great [effort to] run away from this [evil group]! When the Yetzer [HaRa] entices [the person] to enter into their group, he should think to himself: “It is sufficient for me that I have to stand in the Upper World with my sins [as they are at this point], why should I bear the punishment of another’s sins?” By [thinking the above when being enticed to sin, that person] will defeat the Yetzer [HaRa].

[1] L’Asid Lavo – Lit. “In the future to come” refers to the time when one’s soul, in the future, will partake of its eternal reward in The World to Come.