VAYEIRA: Words as Arrows of Goodness

By Pamela Steinberg, delivered Nov. 19, 2005

In this week’s Torah portion, G-d is careful not to repeat to Abraham that Sarah referred to him as old when he recounts their conversation, since it might hurt his feelings. From this we learn to be sensitive to what we repeat – and what we don’t!

The power of speech is a great tool with which man can build heaven and earth. A person who avoids loshon hora and can use speech in a powerful way enhances the spiritual power of his words. The Torah considers loshon hora to be so harmful that it can drive a wedge between man and Hashen so deep that it can deprive him of Divine assistance in a time of need. This works against the goal of the Jew which is to achieve unity between the Jewish people and Hashen. By being sensitive to the feelings of others, we can begin to see them as parts of ourselves.

This is why the Torah focuses so intently on speech. A few careless words can be all it takes to destroy a friendship; a few angry words can upset an entire room. The toxicity of loshon hora is not hard to grasp. We just have to look at some of the aspects of human nature that fuel it: arrogance, jealousy, anger, a critical attitude, and a negative outlook.

That is the formula that fuels loshon hora and sets it in motion. Every time we refrain from loshon hora, we earn rewards that are beyond the comprehension of angels. Guarding one’s words is greater than Torah learning and mitzvot. We can build a wonderful share in the world to come by the rewards of restraining from loshon hora. Every time we are tempted but resist, we are rewarded.

The Torah teaches us that the words we choose determine how we live our life. By taking control of the power of speech, we are also taking control of life itself.

In mysticism, it is believed that when a person’s name is mentioned in a conversation his soul appears between the two people talking and hears everything that is being said. Words are like arrows that are aimed straight at the heart.

When we begin to think in these terms, we can start to understand how accountable we are for every word we speak. If everyone removes negativity, gossip, slander, and division from our vocabulary, we would dramatically improve our own lives and the lives of everyone around us.

Words can also result in miracles. They can take the ordinary and make it holy. They can turn a glass of wine into Kiddush, a loaf of bread into an offering, a man and woman into a couple through marriage. Most importantly, words communicate Hashem’s greatness and presence in this world.

To speak using words that actively bring goodness into the world is to speak loshon tov (good or positive talk). It is a form of chesed. Just like visiting the sick, feeding the hungry, providing for the poor, loshon tov is a way of emulating Hashem’s kindness and compassion.

This is something we are all capable of doing; it requires no extra time or money. It is something that can be performed every day in conversation.

It is written – “No word is lost, for all is recorded. Angels are sent to every person to note each and every word, and they never part from him. For the bird of the sky transmits the voice and the accompanying angel testifies."