IF WORDS COULD KILL

Parashat Noach

Cheshvan 4, 5780 /November 1-2, 2019
Torah: Genesis 6:9-11:32
Haftarah: Isaiah 54:1-55:5

Dedications and calendar follow below. For complete listings, see our web site at: www.bnaihayim.com   

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IF WORDS COULD KILL

"Whoever sheds the blood of a human being, by humans shall his blood be shed; for in the image of God did God make humans." Genesis 9:6

This is one of several Torah verses cited as the basis for capital punishment. But the Chofetz Chayim, Rabbi Yisrael Meir Hakohen Poupko (d. 1933), who wrote extensively on the laws concerning shmirat halashon (guarding one's tongue), taught that the verse prohibits publicly embarrassing another person. He cites the following passage from the Talmud, Bava Metzia 58b: "A tanna (teacher) taught before Rav Nachman bar Yitzchak: 'One who publicly shames (lit., "makes pale") his neighbor, it is as if he shed blood.' Said Rav Nachman: 'You speak well, for I have seen it, the ruddiness disappearing and the paleness replacing it.'"

Another exchange, between Abbaye and Rav Dimi, includes this: "All who descend to Gehenna ("hell") later reascend, except for three; one who commits adultery, one who publicly shames his neighbor, and one who places an evil nickname on his neighbor ..., even when he is accustomed to being called by that name."

All of us have had the experience of Rav Nachman - we or someone we have observed have turned pale, had the blood drain from the face, from being shamed in front of others. Similarly, we know that it is wrong to call someone by an evil nickname, even when they apparently don't mind the use of the epithet. But how many of us have ever considered that it is a form of murder (character assassination?) to publicly shame someone? Even more, how many of us have ever considered that such an action is a chillul hashem, a desecration of God's name? How could it be otherwise? "...for in the image of God did God make humans."

Mind your tongue - words can kill.

Shabbat Shalom!

Rabbi Richard A. Flom

הַלּוֹמֵד מִכָּל אָדָם ?אֵיזֶהוּ חָכָם

Who is wise?  The one who learns from every person.

Ben Zoma - Pirkei Avot 4:1

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Candle lighting: 5:42 pm

Friday: Shabbat Evening Service – 6:30 pm. Oneg Shabbat follows.

Saturday: Torah study/breakfast – 8:45 am. Shabbat Morning Service – 9:30 am. Kiddush lunch follows. Turn back clocks one hour before retiring tonight – Standard Time begins 2:00 am Sunday.

Sunday:  Religious School – 9:30 am.

Tuesday: Lunch and Learn – 12:00 noon.

Next time you come to TBH/CBM, please bring some non-perishable canned and packaged foods and personal items (no glass) for SOVA.

This d'var torah is offered in memory of my uncle, Merwin Erenbaum, whose yahrzeit falls on Wednesday, 8 Cheshvan. Y'hi zikhro liv'rakhah - His memory is a blessing.

This d'var torah is offered in memory of my zayde, Sam Flom, whose yahrzeit falls on Thursday, 9 Cheshvan. Y'hi zikhro liv'rakhah - His memory is a blessing.

This d’var torah is offered for a refuah shleimah for Leah bat Sarah Imanu, Sarah bat Devorah, Susan Arbetman, Ken Bitticks, Elsbet Brosky, Mark Brownstein, Jerry Daniels, Maya Fersht (Maya bat Esther), Dr. Samuel Fersht (Shmuel Natan ben Gittel), Bernard Garvin, Leah Granat, Gabor Klein, Philip Kronzek, Tonya Kronzek (Zlata Malkah bat Sarah Imanu), Stuart Lytton, David Marks, Gail Neiman, Sandra Raab, David Russak, Josef Sands, Shirley Sands, Debra Schugar Strauss (Devorah bat Chaya Feiga), Helen Schugar (Chaya Feiga bat Kreina), and William Sragow.

Please let me know if there is anyone you would like to add to this list or if there is anyone who may be removed from this list.