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THE WEEKLY PARSHA

SHELACH

[ Dvar Torah ] [ Passages on Prayer ]
[ Stories of the Sages ] [ Education ]

(Taken from a weekly publication of Hammaayan Institutes.
Translated by Rabbi Shabtai Teicher)

THE WEEKLY PARSHA
There is a story that happened in a Jewish community. News began to circulate that the daughter of the butcher (shochet) had gone off the way and into very immoral behavior. Wherever the shochet went people began to look at him doubtfully and suspect all that he did because of what had happened to him and that someone like his daughter could be one of his offspring. With a heavy heart he went to the rabbi of the community. Because of the rumors people did not want to eat meat from the animals that he slaughtered, and he was losing his entire livelihood. He stood in front of the rabbi, crying and broken. He claimed that what people were saying about his daughter was absolutely not true. The proof, he said, is... he does not have any daughters! His wife had given birth only to sons.

We will not tire the reader with a long story. Suffice it to say that no matter what the rabbi tried to do for him, it was to no avail. The rumor which had circulated in the city that the daughter of the shochet had become spoiled would not stop, and most people stopped to eat his meat.

It has already been explained (see The Weekly Parsha - Metzora) that speech has the power to decide an uncertain thing, whether positively or negatively. It fixes the thing. According to what is said about it, that becomes its reality. In this week's parsha we can further see the destructive force which is hidden in the power of speech.

When evil words are spoken about someone, it is almost impossible to prevent ourselves from believing in them. Moreover, even if it is proven in public that what was spoken was false, something of the stain remains attached to the person who was the victim of the evil speech.

In these days it is also common to see the power of defamation of character at work in the public, communications media. Unproven and false statements are trumpeted in all the media for days. Then a quick and hardly noticeable apology is made. Nevertheless, the destruction caused by the defamation has already been achieved. All their apologies, and even court decisions against the defamers do not help. This proves that defamation is in the category of "an iniquity that cannot be repaired" (Eccl.1:15).

Yehoshua and Calev said, "...The Land through which we passed to spy it is a very, very good land" (Numbers 14:7). However, from the moment that the spies spoke evil about the Land the cries of Yehoshua and Calev could not help. The defamation was already fixed in the hearts of Israel. Even if it could have been erased, some part of it would remain. It could not be wholly rectified.

Therefore, when Israel did regret their acceptance of the spies' defamatory words, and they said, "...We are here, and we will go up to the place that G-d said, because we have sinned" (ibid. 40), it was to no avail. Their relationship to the Land had become blemished beyond repair.

It may be compared to the relationship between the soul and the body. There must be a wondrous accord between them. However, if the unity and harmony between them breaks, and someone tries to force the soul into a body that is not compatible to her, then it is doomed to failure. That is why Moshe said to them, "Why are you transgressing the word of G-d, and it will not succeed; do not ascend because G-d is not in your midst, and you will not be routed before your enemies" (ibid. 41). They could not entirely erase the impression once they had accepted the calumny that the spies spoke about Eretz Yisrael. Therefore, they were no longer entirely compatible to the Land.

Now it is obvious why the Torah is so strict concerning the prohibition of lashon hara and defamation in a way which is incomparable in any of the other prohibitions between man and man. If a person causes damage to another person, then he can pay compensation and thereby rectify the wrong that he has done. However, how much effort needs to be invested in order to change a negative image which was caused by rumor, if it can be successfully changed at all.

In several places the Torah compares the tongue to an arrow. "G-d, save my life from lying lips and a deceitful tongue.... Sharp arrows of the mighty..." (Psalms 120:2-4). "Like an arrow drawn is their tongue speaking deceitfulness..." (Jeremiah 9:7). Once the arrow is shot from the bow, no one can control it, and no one can bring it back, as we have explained. Therefore, a person must be very, very careful with his tongue. This is so important, and the power of speech is so potentially destructive, that Chazal have said that the art of living in this world is for a person to make himself like a mute.

THE PRAYERS OF OUR MOUTH

In the recitation of the shema we say the section about the tzitzit which appears in the parsha of Shelach, including the verse, "...And you will remember all the commandments of G-d and do them" (Numbers 15:39).

Rabbi Yechezkiel Levenstien z"l, in his sefer "Aur Yechezkiel - Emunah," (p.101) explains that a person's entire service to G-d and all the obligations of the Torah are contained in the warning not to be drawn after the heart and the eyes.

Chazal have taught us that the desire of the heart against which we are warned here in the section of tzitzit is heresy. Heresy is the idea that whatever comes into a person's mind, he should do it, and there is no one to rule over him, or to tell him not to do it or do something else.

This heretical idea enters a person's mind because he is drawn after his eyes. It mistakenly seems to superficial sight that there is no one to boss a person around. Thus, heresy comes to rule over him.

Consequently, the main worship a person must practice is to constantly remember the mitzvot of G-d. The mitzvot keep a person away from heresy by always showing him that he is not free to do whatever he wants. There are commands.

When we remember that there are commandments, we begin to question, who has the power to command? The answer to this question is G-d, may He be blessed. He is Almighty; He can do anything, and no one has the power to stop Him. He rules over everything. Consequently, all the deeds of man are subject to His governance and guidance, and no one has the power to contradict His Will.

(Yalkut Lekach Tov, Shelach Lecha)

STORIES OF THE SAGES

"THE LAND IS VERY, VERY GOOD" (Numbers 14:7)

A rich Jew who had just returned from visiting Eretz Yisrael entered the room of the tzadik, Rebbe Yisrael of Ruzhin. The Rebbe asked him, "Tell me, did the Land find favor in your eyes?"

In a barely perceptible voice the man gave some vague answer which more or less said, "It is better if we do not talk about it."

The Rebbe did not miss the meaning of the remark, and he responded by telling the man a story.

"There was a rich man who had several daughters. He married all of them to talmedai chachamim (scholars of Torah) except the last one, the daughter of his old age, for whom he did not find a suitable match. Since he could not find a talmid chacham to his liking, he arranged for her to marry a simple tailor.

"Before the marriage the father said to his daughter that it is proper that he should buy for her jewelry in order that she will find favor in the eyes of her husband. However, she answered angrily, `It is proper for my sisters who are married to talmedai chachamim to be adorned with jewelry. But I am going to marry a tailor. It is enough for me and for him that I should wear my regular clothes.'

"It is the same way with Eretz Yisrael," the tzadik said to the man who was sitting opposite him. "She is revealed in all her beauty and glory only to those who can appreciate her enormous value and high majesty. To simple people who do not understand her value Eretz Yisrael does not reveal herself."

EDUCATING OUR CHILDREN

In this column we have been warned several times to keep a close watch over the company and friends of our children. In truth, this warning is applicable to everyone, young and old alike. A person must be very careful not to associate with bad people, and this is especially the case for children.

The author of the Chayay Adam also wrote a sefer called "Bet Avraham". In section 21 the gaon writes about several calamitous losses which ensue when a person makes company with evil people.

Joining company with wicked people who are heretics is "a root that bears gall and wormwood" (Duet. 29:17). It destroys faith, and it were better for a person to be accosted by a carniverous lion and bear than to meet wicked people. Thus it is written, "A bear robbed of her cubs should meet with a man rather than a fool with his folly" (Proverbs 17:12). The wild animal will only kill his body, but the wicked company of heretics will kill his soul and waste his portion in the world to come.

Shlomoh warned, "My son, if sinners entice you, do not consent" (ibid. 1:10). Do not enter into any discussions or arguments or questions and answers with them. Just say to them, "I do not want your opinions." It is better for a person to eat bread and salt than to join company with wicked people. Woe to their souls, for they betray G-d. They cause evil to themselves, and even to their forefathers already in the grave.

Even if you see that they wear tefillin and do mitzvot, do not join company with them at all. They are just fulfilling the customs of their fathers, and they are embarrassed to throw everything away. However, they are worse than an apostate. The disgrace of the latter is revealed openly. Certainly you will not take him for company. But the evil is already planted in the heart of the former.

Also, you should not join company with wicked people, even if they believe in G-d. It will destroy the service of G-d which we are obligated to perform. Although a person may be perfect in his service to G-d and in his opinions, if he joins company with wicked people, then they will destroy his worship, and especially if he does business together with them.

When I was fourteen years old I traveled to yeshivot. According to the custom, before the journey my father, my master, may he rest in peace, blessed me. He said, "My son, you are young and impressionable. Shake my hand on it that you will only make friends with those who worship G-d."

I shook my father's hand, and thank G-d, I was able to fulfill his instruction. However, there were a few weeks when I was journeying that I found myself in company that was not good, and I almost lost my way. G-d in His mercy saved me from them right away.

Just like joining company with wicked people loses and destroys faith and Divine service, so joining company with righteous people and those who serve G-d strengthens faith and worship....

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