Mishpacha magazine published an article this week entitled "Slow burn. The Grudges we Bear". It quotes a Gemara which says that the world stands in the merit of those who remain silent at the time of a quarrel, and those who endure insult and do not respond are like "the mighty rising sun".
This morning I learned 2 halachos from the sefer, "Guard your tongue", according to the daily calendar set up by Harav Segal in Manchester. The first halacha began with the words, "When it is difficult to remain silent". It then goes on to describe a social situation where you are in the company of people who are gossiping and you are unable to leave them. Even though you might appear unsociable, it is nevertheless forbidden to speak loshon Hora.
The halacha ends with the words. "Concerning such situations the following words of our Sages definitely apply: For every second that one remains silent he will merit reward of a magnitude that is beyond the comprehension of malochim (celestial beings" (Igeres Hadra).
Not for nothing is the maxim, "Silence is Golden". Next time, I want to lash out during a quarrel, or I want to contribute to the gossip that is being spoken, I will consider the fleeting pleasure of the moment compared to the sublime pleasure of the greatest magnitide to be attained if I abstain from speaking, instead.
I have begun to learn hilchos shemiras halashon and have been more careful in my speech.
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