Parshas Emor

"Where did I learn THAT word from?? Dad, that's what you called your
boss."

"Do not desecrate My holy name." (Vayikra 22:32) Rashi on Yoma 86a
says a definition of desecrating G-d's name is "sinning and causing others
to sin".

Teach by example.

Have a great Shabbos !!

Rabbi Chaim Flom
_______________________________________________________

quote:

Originally posted by Rabbi Flom:
Parshas Emor

"Where did I learn THAT word from?? Dad, that's what you called your
boss."

"Do not desecrate My holy name." (Vayikra 22:32) Rashi on Yoma 86a
says a definition of desecrating G-d's name is "sinning and causing others
to sin".

Teach by example.

Have a great Shabbos !!

Rabbi Chaim Flom
_______________________________________________________

Dear Rabbi Flom,
Your lesson was great, but your implication is that using "THAT word" is a sin. How do you know that?
Sincerely,
Mark

Dear Mark,
Thanks for your question.
There is a Gemara in Shabbos 33a based on a verse in Isaiah 9:16 (which says "Therefore Hashem will have no joy in their young men, neither shall He have mercy on their fatherless and widows: for everyone is a flatterer and an evildoer and EVERY MOUTH SPEAKS PROFANITY")says that for speaking profanity all sorts of bad things happen. By the way, profanity is a) "dirty words" or b)talking about certain subjects with no holy or beneficial intentions.
I hope that this has been enlightening. If you want more clarification please let me know.
Take care.
Chaim Flom

quote:

Originally posted by Rabbi Flom:
Parshas Emor

"Where did I learn THAT word from?? Dad, that's what you called your
boss."

"Do not desecrate My holy name." (Vayikra 22:32) Rashi on Yoma 86a
says a definition of desecrating G-d's name is "sinning and causing others
to sin".

Teach by example.

Have a great Shabbos !!

Rabbi Chaim Flom
_______________________________________________________

Dear Rabbi Flom,
Another question on your dvar Torah if you don't mind. Your example was of a father and son,would that also apply to 2 adults.
Sincerely,
Mark

Dear Mark,
Thanks for the question. (Always feel free to ask.)
Actually the Gemara in Yoma 86a says an example of "desecrating Hashem's name",is that in Rav's city, storekeepers didn't go after clients who bought (ie.some places the storekeepers used to actively collect after the sale), but rather people paid on their own. Rav was always careful to pay ON THE SPOT so that the storekeeper shouldn't think that Rav was going to try getting away without ever paying. Rashi says that the storekeeper would say to himself "if Rav can cheat a bit, so can I".

Mark,I don't want you to think that I am saying this only applies to Rabbis etc. Each and every one of us has an influence on others, by our actions. If we talk in shul, it makes it easier for the next guy to talk in shul. Especially, if there is something that I am not always cautious about, and someone else does it, it is much easier for me to do it. A few years back when the cigarette companies were sued for influencing people to smoke (and causing illness), they claimed that they didn't "influence" anyone. To which the judge (I think) said (something like) "the tobacco industry spends 15 Billion $$ a year on advertising assuming that it DOESN'T INFLUENCE ANYONE". (By the way, none of this exonerates the sinner or in the case of the tobacco industry, the smokers.We are responsible for our own actions)

We influence others and are influenced by others.
Chaim Flom