Loshon Hora

Loshon Hora (evil tongue) is lately getting me really nervous. This might have to do with the fact that I’m guilty of this grave sin myself and therefore I am self-conscious about it. Or, if you want to quote the Baal Shem Tov, “the bad one sees in others always traces itself back to oneself.” 

I waited until after Tishrei – so as not to speak ill of others before the days of judgment. 

It’s not the sin aspect, the aveira-transgression stuff that really worries me (Although that in itself is huge!). The part that really gets to me is the after-effects to the person or group being spoken about. I recently heard someone say that it would be hard for a frum Jew to be a good comedian, because most good jokes are putting others down. 

There is an anecdote that the Chafetz Chaim sent one of his students to the Rebbe Rashab (5th Lubavitcher Rebbe) to get a haskama-approval for his famous “Chofetz Chaim” manuscript on the laws of loshon hora. The Rebbe Rashab supposedly responded: “In Chabad we work on not even thinking loshon hora”(1). 

Yes, yes, yes, yes, yes. Now all my Chabad readers are hopefully happy. No thinking loshon hora! We love all Jews (as long as you love us back). The 32nd chapter of the Tanya, the “lev” of Chabad Chassidus (the numerology of 32 is lamed-bet, spelling “lev,” or heart) is (I’m paraphrasing): “All Jewish souls are one body and when we elevate the body over the soul, it’s easy to love every Jew like oneself [for the body that separates one from another is subservient to the soul]…” So, while we’re working on controlling our thoughts and bodies, it might be a good idea to review a good book on the laws of loshon hora (there are hundreds to choose from). 

I try really hard to keep sarcasm out of my writing, but it does sometimes sneak in. I don’t have complete mind over body control. Or mind over mouth… 

(1). A similar story is told that the Chofetz Chaim asked the Rebbe Rashab why Chassidim make a big deal about not cutting their beard but not about loshon hora. The Rebbe Rashab supposedly answered that cutting a beard is a calculated act, as opposed to loshon hora, which is usually an accident.

Are we off the derech?

It is well known that the Rebbe had issues with the term “kiruv rechokhim”. The Rebbe seemingly did not feel it was productive to refer to helping Jews get closer to their roots by focusing on what they are not – rechockhim; rather the focus should be on where they can improve.

Moreover, one can never know who is really closer to Hashem. HaRav Lau שליט"א told over the following: "I once mentioned to the Rebbe that I am actively involved in "Kiruv Rechokim," bringing back lost Jews who have strayed afar. The Rebbe immediately corrected me, "We cannot label anyone as being 'far'. Who are we to determine who is far and who is near? They are all close to G-d!"

At another occasion the Rebbe said: "You call them "distant"?! What gives you the right to say that you are close and they are far? You must approach each one of them as though you are the King's servant sent with a message to His most precious child!"

I would like to suggest that a similar approach be applied to those that go – “off the derech”. A. Is this name productive? B. Who can really know?

What do you think[1]?

A Positive Conversation - Letter of the Rebbe from 1944


The Rebbe: Realizing the Potential of the Jew VIDEO





[1] This idea was inspired by a tweet from a friend (@PopChassid

Debunking 'Chassidic Philosophy'

We often refer to Chassidus Chabad as ‘Chassidic Philosophy’.  I recently bumped into something that would strongly challenge that term. 

The word Philosophy originates from a Latin word that means ‘love of logic’.  In Chabad (which is an acronym for Wisdom, Understanding and Knowledge) we’re very into the brain.  But, (and this is a big BUT), it’s all in order to warm the heart - to love and fear G-d.

We don’t love logic – we love love!

Anyone have an idea for a new name?