Parshas Bireishis: Beware Of The Friendly Neighborhood Snake
The
snake was the first ever Ba'al Lashon Hara. He told Chava that Hashem
won't let her eat from the Eitz HaDa'as because then she will be able
to create worlds just like Hashem himself.
Chazal
compare a Ba'al Lashon Hara to a snake. People who peddle gossip are
very popular, as they attract large crowds to listen to their
nonsense. However at the end of the day they are despised like the
snake. Everybody is afraid of them, lest they become his next topic of
conversation.
But
you can't have it both ways. We run from the snake, scared that he
will poison us. You should also run from the Ba'al Lashon Hara and not
hang around enjoying his tales. It looks like fun but but it is all
poison. Besides you never know when he will bite you.
"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
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