Off The Pulpit: Current Newsletter
 "The Drive-By Sin."
by Rabbi David Wolpe
We are deluged by rumor, gossip, tall tales masquerading as truth.
Good names are sullied and reputations ruined at the careless push of
the "Send" button. In an age of loose talk, Jewish teachings on
improper speech have never been more important.
Life and death, Proverbs proclaims, are in the power of the tongue.
The ancient Aramaic translation of the Torah refers to human beings
as "the speaking animal." In Genesis, God creates the world through
words. Words not only create a world, but can destroy it —
sabotaging relationships, betraying friendships, hurting others both
close and far away. All the usual excuses — "That's just what I heard" "I didn't mean it unkindly" "But its true!" — are clumsy dodges by
which we allow ourselves the fleeting pleasure of being "in the know" while doing lasting harm. Gossip is the drive-by sin; once the damage is
done, we are already gone.
Rabbi Joseph Telushkin reminds us of three questions we should ask
before passing on tales: Is it true? Is it fair? Is it necessary? If not, then
don't repeat it. God credits us for what we say and also for what we
resist saying.
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