Hi,
More on “cleaning up our act”.
“Lashon Harah. Gossip”.
You have heard it from me many times.
In Jewish tradition, it’s one of the worst things we can do.
We’re even told that it weakens the power of our prayers.
Because the tongue used to hurt other people?
G-d doesn’t want to hear from it!
Not a good idea before Rosh Hashanah!
… I recently gave a “Lunch & Learn Lashon Harah Workshop”.
And that morning at services in synagogue?
I was thinking about something I planned to say.
How there is something we can do to sensitize ourselves about gossip.
We can go out of our way to do the opposite.
To say things that make people feel good about themselves.
That lift their spirits. And make them smile.
We’ll see how much good we can do with our words. And how great we feel afterwards.
And we’ll be less likely to say things that hurt people!
… And as I was thinking about my “presentation”?
I said to myself…
“Don’t just get up there later and pontificate!
Now’s a good time to say something nice to someone”!
So after services I looked around for an opportunity.
I noticed the person who led the service.
He was not a cantor. Just a novice trying hard to do a good job.
He leads the daily service often.
Did I ever think of going over to him?
No.
It’s not like it was a Rosh Hashanah service. Just a weekday half hour service!
But today was different.
Because I was thinking about my workshop.
So I went over to him
“Good morning. I really enjoyed the service. You have a sweet voice. And a lot of feeling.” I made his day!
And I made my day…
More meaningful!
… Now that you’ve read this?
I guarantee you.
In the next 24 hours, you will find an opportunity to say a kind word to someone.
And if you rise to the occasion?
You will make their day.
And yours!
All the best,