* Welcome to a series of "good words" from Chabad.Org - a Jewish Chasidic Organization. As I receive them, I will add to this page, so that you may more fully understand Jewish sensibilities and Christian roots.May G-d bless you all! Shalom!D~ Tammuz 22, 5769 · July 14, 2009
Mixtures
Once we ate from the tree of knowing good with evil, our world became a place of compounds and mixtures. You will not find beauty without ugliness, joy without sorrow, pleasure without pain. You cannot invent a thing that will provide benefit without threat of harm, or a man on this earth who does only good without fault.
Wherever you will find one form of good, you will find another sort of evil. And where that evil does not lie, another will take its place. Rare it is, so rare, to find pure and simple goodness in a single being.
Therefore, do not reject any thing for the harm it may render, nor despise any man for the ugliness within him. Rather, use each thing towards the purpose G-d conceived it for, and learn from each man all he has to offer.
To Love G‑d
Spread Your Wings
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"Love G‑d with all your heart, all your soul, and all your means"—Deuteronomy.
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As a bird soars the skies on its two wings, so a mitzvah is carried upward upon wings of love and awe. Besides, loving G‑d is a mitzvah—one of only six that are applicable every waking moment.
Problem is, how do we grow wings? Meaning: If you don't love, what does it help to have a mitzvah to love? As it turns out, we were born with wings—we just need some exercise to get them unfurled and flapping. We have an innate love of G‑d, but, as Maimonides writes, "if you never think about G‑d it's hard to feel love for Him." As it turns out, we were born with wings—we just need some exercise to get them unfurled and flapping. So what do you think about?
Here's one meditation, as prescribed by Rabbi Schneur Zalman of Liadi:
- In the morning, before prayer, contemplate G‑d's greatness. Ponder the wonders of His creation. Imagine what it takes to get such a place up and running—out of absolute zilch—and then to sustain its existence at every moment.
- Next, ponder your own relative smallness, how insignificant you are next to such greatness.
- Now imagine how this unfathomably great Creator is putting everything aside (so to speak) to pay attention to your prayers, help you do your mitzvot, learn Torah with you, and generally carry you through life. His love for you is as infinite as He is.
- Repeat daily until attaining love.
Now you have the wings, send a few mitzvot flying. You have a purpose in this world—do it out of love! It's a lot more pleasant than grinding through life.
That's why love is a contagious mitzvah: When others see someone whose life is propelled by love of G‑d, they unfurl their wings to fly along with him.
Gossip and Slander
"You shall not go around as a gossipmonger"—Leviticus.
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"Evil gossip kills three: the one who says it, the one who listens, and the subject of the gossip"—Talmud.
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So you know something that Mr. A has done. Non-incriminating, not even objectionable. Unless you have a compelling reason, you are forbidden to share this information. Repeating innocuous gossip is called
rechilut—and often causes unforeseen negative consequences.
Speaking about another's indiscretion or shortcoming is even worse; this is called
lashon hara (the evil tongue). Unfounded libelous gossip (
motzee shem ra) is even worse.
Someone trying to sell you some juicy information? Politely excuse yourself or change the subject. Words carry the potential of causing catastrophic harm, often tearing asunder families and friendships. Thankfully,
lashon hara awareness has increased in past decades, largely influenced by the passionate writings of the
Chafetz Chaim (Rabbi Israel Meir Kagan) on the topic.
- It is also forbidden to listen to lashon hara. Someone trying to sell you some juicy information? Politely excuse yourself or change the subject. Better yet, explain why you are not interested in listening.
- Sometimes, even a "compliment" can have a negative connotation. Example: "My neighbor is a great chef! The aroma of barbeque steak wafts into my yard every night!" Is this also a veiled critique of a spendthrift lifestyle?
- "Oh, don't ask; I'd rather not talk about Mark..." Lashon hara wasn't said—but it was implied!
Note: We are obligated to notify a person of another's conspiracy against him. We are also required to share information with any person in a position to help the offending person. For example, you certainly should inform parents if their child is hanging out with the wrong crowd.
The Power of the TongueExerting self-control over our speech is admirable. Even greater is the ability to truly respect and love every person, automatically eradicating negative, and losing the desire to share negative information.
The destructive power of negative speech is only surpassed by the beneficial power of positive speech. Praising and speaking positively about our fellows benefits ourselves, the person being praised, and all of society.