Sefas Tamim Foundation – Emphasizing Everyday Emes
This week, we continue with translating the Chofetz Chaim’s Sefer entitled, “Sefas Tamim.” Sefas Tamim, from which our foundation takes its name, focuses on the importance of honesty in word and deed. We continue to translate Chapter 1, “Defining Deceit”.
“And how much even more so should man be careful not to lace into his speech words of deceit, meaning hypocritical statements where he says one thing but harbors a completely different intent in his heart. In so doing, HaKadosh Baruch Hu calls this person by the title ‘evil’. This concept is addressed in the Aggadatah of Mishlei, in commentary on the Passuk (Mishlei 12:20) ‘Deceit lies in the heart of those who plan evil.’ Sefer Tana De’Vei Eliyahu Rabbah relates the following (16th Perek), ‘Those people who cultivate evil in their hearts turn words around, open their lips (for bad) and smooth talk,’ regarding them the text states (Tehillim 35:6) ‘Let their way be dark and very slippery.’
Therefore, one who wants to earn His ‘goodness’ should behave with wholehearted, innocent devotion throughout his life, and he will merit to sit in the presence of HaKadosh Baruch Hu, as the Passuk states (Tehillim 15:1-2) ‘Who will live in Your tent, who will dwell on Your mountain? One who walks in perfect innocence (trust).’”
