Tag Archives: book club

Chofetz Chaim – A Lesson A Day –

April 14, 2022 torahisteaching.com

Praise in The Presence of The Adversary…

The issue of loshon hara (wicked speech) continues to arise lately. I have not spoken on the topic of loshon hara in a long time. I have had to wrestle with my own flesh in order to subdue this deadly, destiny destroying behavior. The temptation has been rearing its ugly head with several people lately, including myself, which tells me it’s time to address it again.

***“Never offer praise in the presence of an adversary”*** (Page 118).

The Chofetz Chaim teaches that it is forbidden to praise someone in the presence of anyone who is known to dislike them. They are just waiting to pounce!

It opens the door for anyone listening who dislikes them, to seize an opportunity to say something negative about the persons shortcomings.

There are times when you are acutely aware that the person in question has enemies all around. There are also times when you may not know. They best course of action is to constrain your tongue, even if you want to offer praise. Why?

Because it leaves a pit for the adversary to fall into and this pit dies damage to their own soul. It’s just something that we do not want to be a party to.

The Praiseworthy Person…

The praiseworthy person can wait for you to seek a better moment in time to extend your gratitude or praise when the adversarial soul will not be in ear shot and tempted beyond their ability to resist speaking loshon hara.

So, What Do We Do About Philippians 4:8?

“Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.”

cute rabbit with eyeglasses — Photo by Anna Shvets on Pexels.com

Be wise. Pay attention in the moment. Be vigilant. We always need to remember that we have to know those that we labor among. Paul tells us to, “Think on these things…“, which means we can save those lovely things for another time. We do not always have to blurt out everything we think at the time.

Be aware of the atmosphere you are in at the time and be slow to speak. The right time for praise will present itself and the person to whom you would offer praise will not have to suffer their moment being snatched away by negativity, insults or another person’s pride or enmity.

woman discussing with her colleagues — Photo by Christina Morillo on Pexels.com

Remember: loshon hara affects the souls of at least 3 people… In this case Yourself, the person you’re speaking about (or trying to praise), and the people or persons that are listening.

We are in the business of caring for souls. Let nothing come between you reaching the highest pinnacle of power in your comprehension of GOD and His Word. Especially, our own tongues.

This Book is a Masterpiece! A torahisteaching for your library must have!

If you do not own a copy, I strongly recommend it.

Thank You for Asking me about it my friend!

Keep thy tongue from evil, and thy lips from speaking guile. Depart from evil, and do good; seek peace, and pursue it. The eyes of the Lord are upon the righteous, and his ears are open unto their cry. Psalm 34:13-15

Key Words:

Chofetz Chaim: seeker of life
shmiras haloshon – guarding the tongue

Related Blogs:

ABRAHAM J. HESCHEL

Announcing The Selection for Our Next Book Club Reading…

November 25, 2021 torahisteaching.com

Between God and Man by Abraham Joshua Heschel (1907-1972)

Reading begins: November 24, 2021 Ends: January 7, 2022

Heschel puts forth the question, “Does the worth of wonder merely consist in its being a stimulant to the acquisition of knowledge? Is wonder the same as curiosity? He proposes to us that, knowledge is not the beginning of knowledge, but an act that goes beyond knowledge… it is an attitude that never ceases.”

Heschel suggests that our sense of wonder [and awe] has declined. I agree. However, I know we can recover it!

He concludes that, ” life without wonder is not worth living,” finding that, “What we lack is not a will to believe, but a will to wonder.”

As we begin our journey through his book, consider the level of awe from which you approach the world each day? Do you marvel at the creation miracle that we continue to experience day by day? Can you see and sense the hand of God throughout creation?

Are you able to cut past the noise, the indifference, and the difficulties and still gaze in radical amazement at the workings at the hand of God?

Would you agree with Heschel’s claim that the way to faith leads through acts of wonder and radical amazement? What are your thoughts?

Join us as we explore these depths and experience the awe of wonder between God and man.

In the Meantime….

Remember This Torah Training Assignment:

Look for the Awe, the Wonder, the Essence of GOD within every person that you encounter this week and during this Season of Hanukah. Practice finding the awe of God within every person, within every experience and discover for yourself whether or not wisdom increases, while blocks to insight are removed.

Everyone is welcome to post their comments below as we read through the text together and share our thoughts and ideas!

bookclub

Chofetz Chaim – A Lesson A Day

September 1, 2020 torahisteaching.com

A torahisteaching Book Club Recommendation

The Power of Compassionate Speech!

In response to an excellent question, I am posting this book as my strongest recommendation that it be added to your library for anyone who wants to improve their ‘Power of Compassionate Speech!’ Along with the link for the Chofetz Chaim Heritage Foundation’s website: https://cchf.global/#person_scrolling

Training our tongue (which is all flesh) to cooperate with our spiritual desire to frame our words with kindness, justice and compassion – for starters… will result in far more improvements gained in our spiritual life, than we may have set out to accomplish!

This is very disciplined work for which a person must be “dedicated unto death” in order to achieve! Especially, if we should have the occasion to begin with a very stubborn little spirit.

This is what the Chofetz Chaim says, “Loshon hora is a weapon manufactured solely from words, yet the Torah considers the harm those words create to be massive. So sharp a wedge does loshon hora set between a Jew and Hashem, that it even deprives him of Divine assistance in a time of need…. Because people speak many times a day, every day of their lives, and most of what’s said appears to create no discernible consequences, it becomes easy to perceive speech as a relatively benign force.”

A few key points jump out at me here.

“Most of what’s said appears to create no discernible consequences“

“…it becomes easy to perceive speech as a relatively benign force.”

This is so true, and so very destructive to our own souls. For the most part, we behave as if nothing is happening when we speak negatively or say some unkind, mean or horrible thing. The world never seems to end, and the sun still rises and sets. So it is very easy to deceive ourselves into believing that our speech is absolutely benign— having no force or effect.

On the surface, there doesn’t seem to be much going on at all. Yes, we may have hurt someones feelings, but they will get over it, right?

Yes, they might.

But we are left with a much greater problem than we can see in the natural.

It is the spirit that quickeneth; the flesh profiteth nothing: the words that I speak unto you, they are spirit, and they are life. John 6:63

Just as GOD’s Words live in and transform the atmosphere and us, possessing both spirit and life… We, being created in the image and likeness of GOD have to understand, that our words live in and transform the atmosphere and others, as well.

Your words are both spirit and life!

Your words have the ability to define and redefine reality. This is why our thoughts carry the same weight as our words.

Words can actually fly out of our mouths…words that we intentionally and/or unintentionally released, with or without cause. I am speaking from personal experience, so I am very familiar with the situation.

Guarding the tongue, is a full time occupation. One that requires a constant companion and mentor. The Chofetz Chaim can assist us with that, 179 days of the year, which is 6 months at a shot.