Rabbi's Corner

The Talmud teaches us that the Torah does not "waste" words.  Every single letter is filled with meaning.  Sometimes, if we come across a word or a phrase that appears to be superfluous, we must give it further analysis.  In this week's parashah, Parashat Noach, we find the following verse: "Of the pure animal and of the animal that is not pure" (Bereshit 7:8)  These words are, of course, describing the kinds of animals Noach was to bring into the ark with him.  The Talmud asks why so many words were used to describe an animal that was not pure when the Hebrew word "tamei" (impure) could have been used instead.  The Talmud answers that the Torah was "saved" from explicitly writing the word "tamei" thus teaching us an important lesson that we must always be careful not to speak in a vulgar ("tamei") manner.  Words have the power of life and death.  The following story illustrates this most explicitly.

Rav Elya Lopian was forced to take shelter with a group of Jews as bombs were falling around them.  Although the fear in the shelter was tangible with people crying and screaming, the Rabbi sat in the corner and began to learn Talmud hoping that his action would help protect the people.  Suddenly a man rushed over to the Rabbi and exclaimed: "They are speaking 'lashon hara' (gossip) here!"  "What?!" the Rabbi declared. " We must al leave this place!"  With that, he picked up his volume of Talmud from which he was learning and ran out of the shelter.  Together, the Rabbi and his companion ran through the streets of Jerusalem, dodging bullets, shrapnel, and bombs as they made their way to another place of safety.  After they settled in, the Rabbi continued his learning.  Shortly afterwards, the situation calmed down.  The Rabbi then learned that the shelter he and his companion had left had taken a direct hit leaving no survivors.  He concluded: "Death and life are in the power of the tongue!"  Amen!