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Parshas Metzora - What’s So Bad About Loshon Hara?

By BJLife/Moishy Pruzansky

Posted on 04/14/16

Parshas HaShavua Divrei Torah sponsored by
Dr. Shapsy Tajerstein, DPM - Podiatry Care.
(410) 788-6633

 This week’s parsha continues to discuss the sin of loshon hara. When one thinks about it, the severity of this sins seems almost illogical and counterintuitive. Consider the following: in his magnum opus, “Sefer Chofetz Chaim”, R’ Yisrael Meir Kagan quotes the Gemara which states that loshon hara is more severe than adultery, idolatry and murder combined (Yerushalmi, Pe’ah 1). He proves that this single sin was responsible for the destruction of the Second Bais Hamikdash and is responsible for our current exile. He writes that all the pain and suffering in the world is due to loshon hara and that the moment our nation trains itself to abstain from it, Moshiach will immediately follow and all pain and suffering will come to an end.


Now, I can understand why it’s not the nicest thing to say derogatory things about another Jew, but how can it be worse than the 3 cardinal sins combined? What is the rationale for it to be considered one of the most severe sins in the entire Torah?


The following parable, based on the words of R’ Shimshon Pincus (in Tiferes Shimshon parshas Metzora), will put everything into proper perspective:


A king had two sons whom he loved more than anything else in the world. Although he was a very busy man, he promised his children that no matter what happened, he would always listen intently to everything that they would say to him and that they would always have his full attention. Additionally, although no one was allowed to enter the king’s inner-chambers without being summoned, the king assured his children that they would always be allowed to enter to discuss with him anything that was on their minds. 


However, not everyone was privileged to have the king listen to their every word. Some of the king’s advisors, who did not like the young princes, would point out the princes’ shortcomings and advise the king to discipline them. Much to their chagrin, the king would hear nothing of it, and whenever they would speak of such matters, the king would hasten to his inner-chambers and completely ignore their accusations against his children. Despite the fact that his sons were far from perfect, the king would only see the good in them, and nobody could convince the king to listen to their accusations for even a moment.


But one day, much to the advisors delight, one of the princes himself sat his father down and began to tell him of the many mischievous deeds that his brother had committed and detailed how his brother had acted explicitly against their father’s orders. Unable to ignore his child’s accusations, due to his promise to always listen intently to the words of his children, the king was “forced”, albeit reluctantly, to punish his other son for his misbehavior. The advisors were ecstatic as they finally discovered a way to cause the king to punish his children. They would often instigate fights between the two princes to cause them to report their siblings bad behavior to their father, which caused both princes to suffer miserably. If only the princes realized what a negative effect their words were having, and understood that had they only learned to guard their tongues from ever uttering anything negative about their brother, their father would overlook their shortcomings. Despite their faults, all of their suffering would come to an end and they would live lives filled with unlimited happiness and blessings.


This parable is a perfect illustration of our relationship with Hashem. Hashem is our loving Father and only wants to see the good in us (Lo hibit uven b’Yaakov - Hashem perceives no iniquity in Yaakov. Bamidbar 23:21). Whenever the accusing angel attempts to point out our faults, Hashem simply ignores him. However, there is one group of people whose words are unconditionally heard within Hashem’s inner-chambers and who will NEVER be ignored: His own children, the Jewish people. It is for this reason that speaking negatively about another Jew is one of the worst and most destructive sins imaginable and the most despised by Hashem, for it “forces” Him to hear and acknowledge our every sin and to punish His children whom He loves more than anything. If we would only learn to take care of our fellow Jews, by refraining from ever mentioning their faults (even if they are true), Hashem would never acknowledge our sins or punish us, and Moshiach would immediately follow! Despite our faults, all our suffering would come to an end and we would live lives filled with unlimited happiness and blessings. (Based on the words of the Chofetz Chaim, in Shemiros HaLashon Sha’ar Ha’zechira and the Zohar on parshas Pekudai)


Living Inspired


Our words have incredible power! Even our casual conversations are heard by Hashem. If we refrain from discussing the sins or faults of our fellow Jews, Hashem will “ignore”* all of our sins, and there will be no more pain or suffering in the world (ibid). People always desire a shortcut - an easy way to live a life filled with blessing. Avoiding loshon hara is that shortcut. It is, therefore, well worth the time and effort to invest a few minutes a day or week to study a book that discusses refraining from forbidden speech and to invest serious focus into guarding our tongues.


Even our casual conversations always have Hashem’s full attention and reach His inner-chambers. Clearly, our words have incredible power. What will YOU use them to accomplish today?


Gut Shabbos


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*- Hashem never ignores our sins per se. Rather, the merit of loving our fellow Jews earns His absolute mercy.


Note: An additional point that we can learn from the above parable is the incredible power of a Jew’s words in prayer. If Hashem listens to even our sinful speech, how much more so to our beautiful prayers? Ask Him for whatever you need, for He is intently listening to our every word! (Although He may sometimes say “no” to our requests when it is in our best interest for Him to do so, He is ALWAYS listening).