Archive for the Guidelines with Speech Category

In this week’s Torah portion we are introduced to a number of laws that focus on illness. These maladies render a person spiritually impure and thereby preclude them from participating in the Temple services. One such area is the law of Tzaraas. Tzaraas, erroneously translated as Leprosy,

On two occasions in Parshas Behar the Torah instructs us not to afflict our fellow Jew.  In the first instance, the Torah states: “When you sell an item to one of your people or buy from one of your people, a man should not afflict his brother.[1]”  A

Author: David Levin The New York TimesMarch 27, 2008 It would seem an odd, perhaps even absurd, announcement to make over a high school’s public address system. But at 11:15 each morning at the Stella K. Abraham High School for Girls on Long Island, the voice of

“Moses’ father-in-law Jethro, sheik of Midian, heard about all that God had done for Moses and His people Israel when He brought Israel out of Egypt.” (Exodus 18:1) What did Jethro hear about that made him come? The Splitting of the Sea and the war with Amalek (Rashi).

Author: Rabbi Shraga Simmons One man spread a rumor about another. He later felt regret, and went to the rabbi to ask how to make amends. “Go to the store and buy a bag of seeds,” said the rabbi, “then go to a big open field and scatter

On Rosh HaShana blow 100, 4 groups: three of thirty – murder, adultery, idol worship, last 10 are for Loshon Hora. Loshon Hora is likened to these three most horrible sins, it is the last , therefore it contains the essence of human failure. What is Loshon

Author: Rabbi Stephen Baars What is it about gossip that people find so enjoyable?Do you say things about people that you would not want them to say about you? Why? Do you think there is anything wrong about gossip?Who gets hurt the most: the speaker, the listener,

Author: Rabbi Pinchas Morse The Chumash tells us what happens if we don’t care about each other. Verse The day after he killed the Egyptian, Moshe came upon two Jews fighting (Dasan and Aviram) and tried to intervene. They responded insolently to him and asked if he intended to kill the protagonist as

Author: Rabbi Marc Friedman Speech has power. Judaism says that it differentiates us from the animals-our ability to communicate intelligent thoughts elevates us. (Targum Onkelos Breishet 2:7) And yet, as with anything powerful, the flip side is something to be aware of. We look at the tongue

You are a doctor in a small town. One of your patients has become terminally ill.  The patient just got engaged to a young woman who does not know about the illness. You know her and her family as well.  What do you do? Do you say nothing in

LYING[1] Alex is the director of the chemicals division of a large company. He is informed that a team of internal auditors from headquarters will arrive at his door for an audit in 48 hours. His staff prepares as best they can. The day before the auditors

Libraries are usually quiet places to allow for contemplation and concentration. Yet, if you walk into a Torah study hall, you may be surprised at the decibel level and the noise. Why is it that Jews study out loud? Parshat Ki Tavo offers an insight that solves