Being someone who has an interest in being aware of what goes on in the world around us, I l take a look at this forum where we are able to find things out without nisyonos in Shmiras Einayim and other areas of Kedushas Yisroel. Much thanks to the “The Lakewood Scoop” for affording us that ability.
That being said, I have come to realize that there are those who express themselves in “The Comments”, who simply by not being aware, are going against what our Chazal teach us, and sometimes even open Lovin (transgressions) of the Torah.
Thus, as you will see, I am not out to offer my opinions, nor any one else’s – as those are all debatable. My goal is to share several teachings from the Torah, and our Chazal, which every observant Jew must be aware of, and must live by. We may question them to understand them, however the teachings and their truth, are undebatable.
As Chazal teach us “The same way there is a mitzvah to share something that will be listened to, so too there is a mitzvah to not share something that will not be listened to”. My hope is that what will be shared will fall into the first category, and that indeed what is being expressed should be a mitzvah and something which brings joy to Hashem.
1- We are commanded in the Torah to judge every Jew who keeps the Torah favorably. Additionally, Chazal teach us: “Do not judge your friend until you reach his place” – his or her situation and circumstances. Thus, it is forbidden to lash out at someone else’s opinion even if they are 100% wrong according to the Torah. We NEVER know what is going on in that person’s life, what the person’s upbringing was, what difficulties they experienced, etc. Every Jew must be dealt with, with respect and positivity.
2- There is an open lav (transgression) in the Torah “Lo Soinu Ish es Amesie” – one may not say hurtful words to another observant Jew. Even when giving mussar – rebuking someone else for an open aveira (transgression) which we are obligated to do, we are commanded to do it with utmost sensitivity and respect, certainly not causing any embarrassment. (Eating non-kosher is 1 lov (transgression) for each k’zayis, (size of an olive), whereas by saying hurtful words, it is a separate transgression for each word.
3- There is a commandment in the Torah to love another Jew as ourselves. There is a machloikis (argument) between the Rambam and the Ramban if “Like Ourselves” is literal. However, both agree that we are commanded to look out for another Jew in any way we would for ourselves, and to actively do for ours, in the same way that we would do for ourselves.
These are a few points which we all are commanded to follow and MUST live by.
If indeed there is interest, and my quotes fall into the category of “Words that are listened to”, and are appreciated, I am happy to share more of the timeless words of our holy Torah and Chazal, pertaining to this forum.
TLS welcomes your letters by submitting them to us via Whatsapp or via email [email protected]
Please cite a source for your premise on number 1.
@Please
You can find a full tratise of this issue in the Sfer Shemiras Halashon, in the section of Mitzvos Asay, mitzva 3 or 4.
(Honestly, I dont think the authors point is 100% accurate according to that, but definitely for the most part)
maskim! I never knew its a problem to lash out at someone elses opinion… Thanks for the eye opener!! I would have never connected not judging etc to never disagreeing! Also, i believe it says we may judge however it should be done favorably and it only includes those who are oiseh maasei amecha…
Who says all the commenters are Jewish? And who says that this applies to anonymous commenters who clearly don’t stand behind their comments? 🙂
Unfortunately there is no way to control who is commenting or what they will say. What can be controlled is which comments are allowed to be visible in this forum. It would be the responsibility of whomever runs this website to ensure the comments do not transgress torah prohibitions. RL to be held responsible for hosting a platform where people openly hurt, mock and speak negatively of others.
I like how you publicly call out the lakewood scoop as you agree to not bashing people… oh the hypocrisy!!
We are living in times in which we have been tremendously influenced by the secular environment around us. Your very letter unfortunately reflects this very mistake. Anything deemed an offense between man and Hashem is not to be criticized in the slightest. But, something that infringes on somebody else’s rights (and potentially our rights) is something that should be called out.
Here are just some mistaken examples:
1) It is OK to bash men and criticize the male population relentlessly.
2) Women are never to be criticized.
3) Avairos that are done in private aren’t our business.
Are you getting the point- this is TOTALLY the opposite of Torah standards and guidelines. It is a reflection of the secular world that denied the concept of spiritual reality and that our action are the true reality. In addition we live in a post feminist world in which the breakdown of transitional family systems and expectations are the new norm; which has proven to be an epic failure.
Totally agree!! In this generation we unfortunately emulate the way of the germans Ymsmv”z who were outwardly kind to people as they spoke and dealt with others yet rotten inside which was evident once the war broke out…
Thank you for your letter. It has always bothered me that some people do not treat others respectfully when responding. There is absolutely no need to insult someone because you dont agree with them.
sometimes sharpness brings the point home as chazal say “connect to a rebbi who bites like a snake”…
Talking of being sharp… chazal say “kol kevuda bas melech p’nima”! (ask your mechaneches what that means… I dont think its promoting commenting on TLS)
You mention in each comment that these apply to Observant Jews. I don’t believe that is mentioned any where in the Torah. Furthermore, only a Bes din can decide who is and isn’t observant. No simpleton who posts on a website can decide who is or isn’t observant.
Argument on point #3
When commenting on lakewood scoop against someones opinion it usually does not hurt anyones feeling unless they are emotionally sick which you dont have to assume when commenting as most people are not… so being that the average human being does not mind someone arguing his point of view, he therefore has full right to argue someone elses point of view!
Raboisay lets stop being such babies that cant handle a bit of roughness, you comment on a public forum get ready for some feedback… instead of melting fight back and dont take it so personal!!