Acharei Mos- Kedoshim

"Even after the divorce I was still cursing my "ex" whenever I
thought about him, and got these massive tension headaches, until I realized
that I was still letting him control my life."

"Do not keep your worker's wages overnight. Do not curse the
deaf." (Vayikra 19:13-4) The Baal haTurim explains the juxtaposition of
these prohibitions as "If your boss doesn't give you your salary, don't
curse him, just take him to court."

Call the police, Rabbi, lawyer, or whoever can help. Sometimes drastic
measures are needed, but hatred and cursing doesn't help, and is bad for
your body and soul !!

Have a great Shabbos !!

Rabbi Chaim Flom
_______________________________________________________________

Dear Rabbi Flom,

"Why does it say not to 'curse the deaf' and not everyone else?"

Thanks! Kol Tov,
Tzivy

Tzivy, whenever you have a question, especially a good one such as yours, the first port of call is Rashi.

Rashi writes on this verse:

You shall not curse a deaf person [From this verse] I know only that [one may not curse] a deaf person. But from where do I know that this [prohibition] includes [cursing] any person [even if he is not deaf]? Therefore, Scripture says, "You shall not curse…among your people." But if this is so [that this law is not exclusive to deaf people], why does it say here, "a deaf person?" (Exod. 22:27). [The answer is that] just as a deaf person is special insofar as he is alive, likewise, [one is prohibited from cursing] anyone who is alive. This excludes [cursing] a dead person, for he is not alive. — [Torath Kohanim 19:35]

Dear Tzivy,
Thanks for the question.
There is a very important lesson being taught here: both the Rambam (Sefer Hamitzvos Lo Saasay #317) and the Rabbeinu Bachya (on our possuk) say that cursing isn't only bad because the one being cursed hears it, but the fact that it comes out of my mouth is damaging to ME.This is a very un-Western culture idea!!! In Western society as long as you don't offend other people you can do (almost) whatever you want. Pornography can't be public because it is offensive to some people and could corrupt minors. We believe that even if someone doesn't realize it, IT IS OFFENSIVE TO HIMSELF !! Foul language is bad for the person who says it!!
In Birchas Hatorah we ask Hashem "to make the words of Torah sweet in our mouths". The Chofetz Chaim commented that the words of Torah ARE very sweet, but we are asking Hashem for the Siyata diShmaya that our mouths should be able to discern the sweetness of Torah, which is difficult because of all of the improper things that come out of our mouths.
Take care.
Rabbi Flom

quote:

Originally posted by Yisroel Phillips:
Tzivy, whenever you have a question, especially a good one such as yours, the first port of call is Rashi.

Rashi writes on this verse:

You shall not curse a deaf person [From this verse] I know only that [one may not curse] a deaf person. But from where do I know that this [prohibition] includes [cursing] any person [even if he is not deaf]? Therefore, Scripture says, "You shall not curse…among your people." But if this is so [that this law is not exclusive to deaf people], why does it say here, "a deaf person?" (Exod. 22:27). [The answer is that] just as a deaf person is special insofar as he is alive, likewise, [one is prohibited from cursing] anyone who is alive. This excludes [cursing] a dead person, for he is not alive. — [Torath Kohanim 19:35]

Dear Yisroel,
I don't think that the Rashi says an answer to Tzivy's question of "why does it say specifically a deaf person?" It tells us what is learned from it (not a dead person), but it doesn't say WHY the Torah chose specifically a deaf person.
Take care.
Chaim Flom

[QUOTE]
You shall not curse a deaf person

Well, does a person have to be deaf to act deaf? What is the point in cursing someone who will ignore you? What is the point of cursing someone who is far away and can't hear you anyway? Wasted engergy.
What is the point of complaining to a boss who isn't going to pay you? Or to anyone who won't listen, it doesn't have to be just cursing, right?

I don't think the verse is in reference to literally deaf people.

quote:

Originally posted by Hawke:
[QUOTE]
You shall not curse a deaf person

Well, does a person have to be deaf to act deaf? What is the point in cursing someone who will ignore you? What is the point of cursing someone who is far away and can't hear you anyway? Wasted engergy.
What is the point of complaining to a boss who isn't going to pay you? Or to anyone who won't listen, it doesn't have to be just cursing, right?

I don't think the verse is in reference to literally deaf people.

You are raising 2 related issues. The first as I mentioned to Tzivy, the Torah says a deaf person and it is a kal vachomer, all the much more so to a person who can hear.The point being, that just my uttering the curse EVEN IF IT ISN'T HEARD is bad. The second point, "What is the point of cursing someone who is far away and can't hear you anyway? Wasted energy." You must have more self control than most people. A lot of times people "blow off" a lot of steam, VEHEMENTLY about a person ESPECIALLY when they aren't in front of them. Unfortunately, all bad things we do are wasted energy. So the Torah tells us, don't think that since they can't hear you, it is okay. (Bottom line: we can't do it to ANYBODY.)
Thank you very much for your questions.
Chaim Flom

quote:

Originally posted by Hawke:
[QUOTE]
You shall not curse a deaf person

Well, does a person have to be deaf to act deaf? What is the point in cursing someone who will ignore you? What is the point of cursing someone who is far away and can't hear you anyway? Wasted engergy.
What is the point of complaining to a boss who isn't going to pay you? Or to anyone who won't listen, it doesn't have to be just cursing, right?

I don't think the verse is in reference to literally deaf people.

2 more points I'd like to make. 1) In my dvar Torah and in my letter to Tzivy I said that this whole concept applies to other areas besides cursing. 2)The Ramban, Rambam, and Rabbeinu Bachya talk about literally a deaf person to teach you the greatest lesson--even if he CAN'T hear you you can't curse him (and certainly if he CAN but chooses to ignore you, etc.)
Take care.
Chaim Flom