Chofetz Chaim Podcast: Q&A: Recent Episodes
R' Elchonon Kuritsky
Insightful classes exploring the laws and rationale behind proper speech. Given in a Question-and-Answer format. Based on Sefer Chofetz Chaim.
An explanation of how Lashon Hara distorts the truth even though it appears to be true.
The fundamental laws of Lashon Hara apply even if the speech is true, so why is the prohibition sourced in the phrase "don't bear a false report"
Depending on our intentions, even going to something as seemingly positive as a Torah class can be prohibited.
How is it possible to refrain and hold back from the sin of Lashon Hara considering the difficult situations we often find ourselves in?
The root cause of Lashon Hara is given and recognizing goodness by definition is its antithesis.
We delve further into the concept of appreciating the good in our lives. Using this appreciation as an antidote to negativity.
The Magen Avraham tells us that the story of Miriam speaking Lashon Hara about Moshe is alluded to in the blessing of "Ahava Rabba", how are we to understand this reference?
Didn't previous Gedolim advocate learning Dale Carnegie books as a tool, besides aren't we told that we should accept wisdom by anyone who says it?
Can someone who finds self-help books motivating and inspirational rely on them as a tool to help his performance in the laws of lashon hara?
Another answer is given to why learning the laws are important even if you cannot fully keep them. Based on the concept of success breeds success.
If one is confident that keeping the laws of lashon hara are too difficult for him, should he still spend the time learning them?
Why are there so many religious people that scrupulously keep many of the mitzvos yet don't lend importance to the transgression of lashon hora?
What was so deep about the idea of the peddler, isn't that what the simple understanding of the verse?
Are learning the laws of speech any more significant in our day and age than when the Chofetz Chaim published his sefer (1873)?
Isn't enough to just know the basic idea that talking bad about others is wrong? Why the constant need to learn all the specific laws about it?