B"H

Friday, Elul 13, 5776 / September 16, 2016 - Hakhel year

In this week's Parsha, Ki Teitzei, the Torah states, "When you go out in battle against your enemies, you shall keep away from every evil thing (Davar Ra)."

Why is there a special commandment to stay away from evil when going to war? Shouldn't one refrain from evil at all times?

The Torah commentator, Rashi, explains that in time of war, soldiers need more merits, for Satan is more active at that time. Thus, the Torah gives an extra reminder to be more careful when in battle.  

According to Ramban, this serves to warn Jewish soldiers that when they conquer a city, they must avoid acting like other victorious soldiers who pillage and loot without regard for people or property.

In the Torah there are no vowels so that words can be read in various ways. In this case, the Hebrew "Davar Ra" can also be read as "Dibur Ra" which means "speaking evil." Thus, the Talmud derives from here that in the battlefield of day to day life, one must be very careful to avoid speaking evil (Lashon Hara) about others.

One of the Talmudic sages, Rabbi Alexandrai, would make the following announcement, "Who wants life? Who wants life?" Everyone would gather and reply, "We want life. Give us life!" Rabbi Alexandrai would then recite the verse in Psalms 34: "Who is the man who desires life, who loves days of seeing good?  Guard your tongue from evil, and your lips from speaking deceit.  Turn away from evil and do good, seek peace and pursue it."

Rabbi Israel Meir of Radin, known as the Chafetz Chayim, preached and wrote extensively against speaking Lashon Hara - bad talk about others. One time, as the Chafetz Chayim was walking, a carriage stopped and a man came out and, not knowing that he was speaking to the Chafetz Chayim,  He said, "I am a stranger here. Can you direct me to the home of the great Rabbi, the Chafetz Chayim. I would like to receive the blessing of this wise and righteous Rabbi."

"Oh, he's not as wise and righteous as you think," replied the Chafetz Chaim, with humility.

The man was so upset that someone could say this about the famous rabbi, that he slapped the Chafetz Chayim across the face. Several hours later, he came to the home of the Chafetz Chayim. The man took one look and fainted! The person he slapped was none other than the Chafetz Chayim himself!

When he regained consciousness, he begged the rabbi to forgive him. But the Chafetz Chayim smiled and said to him, "Do not be upset!  As a matter of fact, I have to thank you. You taught me a great lesson that a person should not talk bad even about himself!"

SHABBAT  SHALOM & SHANA TOVA

Montrealcandle lighting time: 6:44 / Shabbat ends: 7:45