The Power Of Speech

Written by my beloved friend Rav Lipman Podolsky ztz"l whose yahrtzeit was yesterday the 13th of Iyar. The Metzora, the person afflicted with Tzora'as (a spiritual skin disease, sometimes erroneously translated leprosy), is not healed through the good graces of a physician. The only licensed Tzora'asologist is the Kohen (Vayikra 14:2). The reason for this anomaly stems from the source of this illness. Unlike all physical ailments, Tzora'as is purely a spiritual malady. Tzora'as is the Divine allergic reaction of having spoken Lashon Hara, slanderous speech (Erachin 15b).   Thus, the cure for this sickness is achieved exclusively via the Kohen, about whom the prophet says: "For the lips of the Kohen should safeguard knowledge, and people should seek teaching from his mouth, for he is an agent of Hashem..." (Malachi 2:7) To learn how to speak properly, one must become a disciple of the Kohen, a person who inherently guards his tongue.   Moreover, for the cure to be complete it is not sufficient for the Kohen to examine the patient and see that the Tzora'as has cleared up. The Kohen must declare out loud, "Pure!" (Nega'im 3:1) What is the reasoning behind this?   The Chofetz Chaim -- the pioneer in the field of the Halachos of Lashon Hara -- explained. When the Metzora witnesses that his cure is dependent solely upon a statement by the Kohen, by a person who himself personifies the trait of clean speech, the Metzora is inspired to teshuva, to a realization that, "Death and life are in the power of the tongue..." (Mishlei 18:21) The power that caused his illness was the very same that cured him. Had he spoken properly, he could have built worlds rather than destroy them.   Note that the verse does not say, "Life and death." Without paying attention, the tongue will more quickly send a person in one direction than the other. It is easier to fall off a mountain than to climb it.   Further, it does not say, "Life, and not such a good life." Rather, "Death and life." The Torah, as we know, does not mince words. Death is death. Those born with the instinct for survival usually try to avoid it.   Speech is what distinguishes us from the animals (Onkelos, Breishis 2:7). Speech makes the man. Yet, how often does man consider what to make of his speech?   We are so careful with what we put into our mouths. Cholesterol, saturated fats, chemicals, preservatives. Health -- say the experts -- is preeminent. So why is it that we are so heedless concerning what emanates from our mouths? Why is spiritual health so unfashionable? Good question.   In truth, though, people are concerned about what exudes. Take bad breath, for example. How much of an effort do people invest so as not to offend others with their chronic halitosis? Toothpaste, dental rinse, the occasional breathmint, etc. Yet to offend Hashem with our malodorous speech somehow missed the list of priorities.  The Chofetz Chaim constructed a parable to facilitate our attempt at refining our speech (adapted for the modern reader). "Reuven" once visited a large computer company, and upon entering he beheld a huge hall, lined with two hundred and forty-eight computer terminals, each serving a specific function. As an indication of the importance of every terminal and its function, each one was protected with battery backup in the event of a power outage. Reuven was very impressed with this vast array of the latest technology.   As he strolled between the aisles, he came upon one particular terminal that appeared different from the rest. In addition to the standard protection shared by all the computers, this one was surrounded by uniformed, armed guards, protecting it from any possible harm. Reuven was nonplussed. What could differentiate this particular computer from the others?   Upon inquiry, Reuven revealed the secret. Each of the other terminals served a specific function. Since each function was vital, each was equipped with a battery backup. This terminal, on the other hand, controlled the function of all the other terminals. Should anything happen to this computer, even a minor malfunction, all the rest would immediately cease to operate, bring to a halt all the activities of this corporation. It was for this reason that they took such special care to protect this computer.   The two hundred and forty-eight computers are the positive commandments with which we were equipped to help us achieve our personal missions here on earth. The computer that guides them all is the power of speech, the factor that distinguishes us from the monkeys. It thus requires extra, special protection. When we use our mouths wisely, everything works properly. When we mis-speak, all our computers malfunction; havoc is wreaked and spiritual growth grinds to a standstill.   We no longer have Tzora'as; the sin of Lashon Hara, tragically, continues to thrive. How ironic, to take the gift of speech -- a gift meant to elevate us above the physical -- and to abuse it, rendering ourselves on a level far below that of the animals. This is the message of the Chofetz Chaim, himself a Kohen, one who genuinely excelled in his perfection of the trait of holy speech. "Death and life are in the power of the tongue..." (Mishlei 18:21)