Shmiras HaLashon ט טבת - Teves 9 - Ninety-Ninth Day

© 2006 by Robert Lepor. All rights reserved.

Similar [to the above teaching of the importance of stating the merits of the Jewish People], we have found in a number of places in Tanna D’vei Eliyahu, including in chapter nineteen in the first volume (Eliyahu Rabba), where he very greatly arouses merit upon [the People of] Israel. The text [from Eliyahu Rabba, is as follows][1]: “Master of the Universe, please see our suffering, and fight our arguments, and allow our insults to rise before You, that which is done to us at each and every moment. Remember how many heads of households there are in the midst of Israel who do not have a livelihood, and are involved in Torah every day constantly. Remember how many poor people there are in the midst of [the People of] Israel, [regarding whom] the non-Jews are pulling [off] their skin from upon them (with taxes and property taxes), and are [nevertheless] involved in Torah every day, constantly. Remember how many youths there are in the midst of Israel, who do not know [how to differentiate] between their right and left [hands], and are [nevertheless] involved in Torah [learning] every day, constantly. Remember how many elderly men and women there are in the midst of Israel, who arise early and go late [at night] to the synagogues and to the houses of [Torah] study, and they love and desire and anxiously await Your salvation [of the Jewish People], every day, constantly… My Father in Heaven, remember Your covenant that You made with the early ones, with the three righteous ones, Avraham, Yitzchak, and Ya’akov… You have also written for us in Your Torah, “And when your brother becomes impoverished and his means descends in your presence, and you shall strengthen him…” (Vayikra: 25; 35) (Meaning: Therefore, you shall also strengthen our hands, so that we shall never decline). My Father in Heaven, remember how many [people] are lame and how many are blind in the midst of [the nation of] Israel, who do not have sustenance, and even so, they pay the salaries of the teachers to learn Torah with their children. My Father in Heaven, remember [the People of] Israel who are Your acquisition forever, as it says, “…Is He not your Father Who has acquired you…” (Divarim: 32; 6), and it says, “HaShem Has acquired me, the first of His path.” (Mishlei: 8; 22) My Father in Heaven, remember how many orphans and widows there are in the midst of [the Nation of] Israel, who are involved with Torah and mitzvos every day, constantly…” see over there [for the full rendering of this prayer].

From this [above prayer], all people are able to learn, how each person from [the Nation of] Israel is required to arouse mercy before The Holy One, Blessed is He, upon Israel, with these words, and similar [words], as also nowadays these [aforementioned] merits and similar [merits] exist [within the Jewish Nation], for those who are aware of the poor situation that [the Jewish People find themselves in]. Nevertheless, Baruch HaShem[2], there are many [people] who learn Torah and fulfill [the] mitzvos, and there are many of those who strengthen, and there are many of those who strengthen Torah and carry out acts of kindness and perform righteousness, at every [place where the opportunity presents itself].

[1] Note from “Kol HaLashon” – the Hebrew printing of sefer “Shmiras HaLashon”: The explanation that [the Chofetz Chaim] brings in parenthesis, is [taken] from the commentary “Yishu’as Ya’akov”, [on the teaching from Tanna D’vei Eliyahu].

[2] “Baruch HaShem” - Literally, “HaShem is The Source of Blessing”, is commonly said as a “substitute” for “Thank G-d”.