A Jew who eats a k'zayis of pork chas v’shalom is guilty of violating one Torah prohibition. But each time a Jew speaks a word of lashon hara,he may violate a number of different Torah prohibitions. Though it appears to be difficult to refrain from such speech, when one is accustomed to it from childhood, it becomes second nature.
Harav Hagaon Rabbi Moshe Shternbuch shlita, Rav of the Eidah Hachareidis
We have a tremendous obligation to increase peace amongst our people. We merit this great quality by guarding our tongues from forbidden speech and keeping away from rechilus.
When he took part in the giant Chol Hamoed Pesach children’s rally, he said over and over, with fervent emotion, “V’ahavta l’reyachakamocha, love your friend as you love yourself.
Harav Hagon Rav Nosson Tzvi Finkel zt”l
I hereby wish to publicize the important and lofty work of Mishmeres Hashalom, whose thousands of members have taken upon themselves to study the laws of lashon hara and to serve as guardians of the mishmeres hakodesh of careful speech… Certainly much chessed is aroused for Klal Yisrael by the strengthening of this subject… And there is no end to the great reward for all those who are involved in and who assist in this lofty mitzvah.
From the letter of Harav Hagaon Rav Naftali Nussbaum shlita, Av Beis Din of Ahavas Shalom and Rosh Yeshiva of Chayei Moshe
Harav Hagaon Rav Naftali Nussbaum shlita
We have to know that the tiniest chizuk a person does is a very great thing. He should hang onto it and not let go. All the more so, when a group strengthens itself in a great and holy area, in shemiras halashon — learning the halachos and Sefer Shemiras Halashon—this is a very great matter that will, b’ezras Hashem, bring a huge ascent in all matters of avodas Hashem…
Your friend, who blesses you with love. May you enjoy good physical health and a big aliyah in Torah and yiras Hashem.
Hagaon Rav Yehuda Zev Segal, Manchester Rosh Yeshiva
One who guards his mouth and tongue guards his soul from troubles” — Even if tzaros were decreed on him for other reasons, he will be saved from them as a result of his restraining himself from speaking lashon hara. “Who is the man who desires life?” One who does not speak lashon hara merits true life — “Those who taste it merit life” — because he learns to see only the good and to look at others positively, so that he will never be drawn to speak lashon hara about them.
May Hashem give Mishmeres Hashalom siyata d’Shemaya in all they do!
The Slonimer Rebbe shlita
The heilige work of Mishmeres Hashalom brings long life to all the participants, as that peddler said: “Who wants an elixir of life?”. Shemiras halashon is a form of mechayeh meisim, a reviver of the dead; in this merit, you can live. It’s also one of the most important mitzvahs of the Torah. All the members and those who take part in it are literally zocheh to techiyas hameisim!
Maran Rosh Yeshivas Ponevezh Rav Baruch Dov Povarsky shlita
People spend exorbitant sums to rid themselves of anxieties and feelings of distress. But Shlomo Hamelech promises us: “One who guards his mouth and his tongue guards his soul from troubles” (Mishlei 21:23).
The more we learn how to guard our mouths and tongues, the more we will be spared all the troubles of the soul. Amen ken yehi ratzon.
The Tolner Rebbe shlita
A chizuk message due to the situation:
The chizuk should be in Torah, tefillah, and middos tovos. And there are things that not everyone knows are very important principles: First of all, shemiras halashon, that there should not be criticism against any person, only to judge favorably…
Hagaon Hagadol Rav Gershon Edelstein shlita
Rav Benzion Felman zt”l worked hard to help someone out in a certain situation, and he rose above himself, even when the beneficiaries repaid bad for good and slandered him.
When the Rebbetzin expressed her pain about this, he consoled her:
When you do true, perfect chessed, l’shem Shamayim, you should never expect a ‘Thank you.’ On the contrary — be prepared that they’ll throw stones at you and complain. Hakadosh Baruch Hu is testing us, but we have to stand up to the nisayon and continue doing chessed.
Rav Benzion Felman zt”l
Hagaon Rav Moshe Shmuel Shapira zt”l was once asked: How can you break the middah of anger?
He replied:
That’s what a mirror is for! Look in the mirror when you’re angry and see how you look… You will be so ashamed. When a person is angry, he loses the radiance of his countenance and destroys his tzelem Elokim…Look how repulsive this sight is!
As a child, I, too, had a quick temper, until I once passed by a mirror while I was angry… After that, I never got angry again
Hagaon Rav Moshe Shmuel Shapira zt”l
The Baal Ahavas Yisrael of Vizhnitz zt”l was once asked: “What do you do if someone doesn’t like you?
The Rebbe answered:
I love him, and love him, and love him, until he loves me. There is no other option…
Baal Ahavas Yisrael of Vizhnitz zt”l
Blessed be all who are involved in Mishmeres Hashalom for the merit of the klal, and all those who join in the learning and involve themselves in guarding their tongue. In the merit of righteous women we will be redeemed speedily in our days, amen.
Harav HaGaon R' Yaakov Moshe Hillel shlita
Learning hilchos shemiras halashon results in shalom, blessing and salvation for all of Klal Yisroel. It is advisable for one and all to join Mishmeres Hashalom.
To the representatives: continue in your fruitful work increasing Kvod Shamayim.
Rav Chaim Pinchas Scheinberg zt"l
Harov Moshe Mordechai Lowy shlita
Harov Yitzchok Sorotzkin shlita
The chashuva Rebbetzin Wertzberger tichyeh devotes herself with mesirus nefesh to
distribute the magazines and to be mechazek all of us, each at her own level, so that
everyone will learn with simcha.
Rebbetzin Koldetzky
