Section: Daily Reminder   Category: Zechiras Miriam

The Chida - The Kind Of People You Want To Speak Lashon Hara About

In Elokai Netzor which we say at the end of Shmoneh Esrei, we say "V'Nafshi K'Afar Lakol Tihiyeh", I should be like dirt below all peoples feet.  The Chida points out that the word "all" includes people that are older or younger, rich and poor,intelligent or foolish.  There is absolutely no one that is excluded from this list.  If you have no problem being stepped on by someone, you have no reason to say lashon hara about them.  That sort of limits the number of people you would potentially want to say Lashon Hara about to around "zero". "Zachor Eis Asher Asa Hashem L'Miriam BaDerech B'Tzaischem MiMitzrayim" The Ramban and other Rishonim count, among the Mitzvos Aseh Min HaTorah, the mitzva of remembering and saying with your mouth each day what Hashem did to Miriam when she spoke about her brother Moshe.  The Chofetz Chaim in Shaar Tvunah Perek 12 says that being Mikayem this mitzva can save you from the aveira of Lashon Hara.  More than just saying the pasuk, says the Chofetz Chaim, one must think about the incident in order for it to have its intended effect. Listen to our Shemiras HaLashon Yomi in our audio section.  Two halachos a day according to the Luach. www.revach.net/audioarchives.php