The Torah invests in us the power to create worlds with our words.
In the very beginning of parshas Matos, Moshe Rabbeinu warns us- Lo Yachel Devaro. We should not make light of this unique power, every single word that comes from our lips should be kodesh, not chol. Every promise- holy, every letter, thought and intention a spark of the divine.
R’ Shimon suffered from severe stomach pain. After having run the gamut with tests, specialists, medicines and therapies- he unfortunately remained in severe pain with no end in sight.
On Purim, the severity worsened. He cried out to Hashem to please give him a sign of what he had to correct in his behavior, what sin might have been committed in the past that led to this horrible situation. Before going to sleep, he pleaded in the zechus of Mordechai and Esther that he be shown a path of teshuvah. Deep in his sleep he started to dream. From the heavens they showed him the letters- mem, eyin, yud, mem. These letters spell the word “intestines” in hebrew. But a heavenly voice explained another meaning to him.
This was a hint- the letters stood for Maran Ovadiah Yosef Macho (Timche)! Suddenly he remembered the time, it was more than 30 years ago. He was in Eretz Yisroel as a bochur and on Purim he and his friends had a little too much to drink. It was during a time that some were protesting against Harav Ovadiah Yosef, the posek hador, because of a political involvement. R’ Shimon started to sing “macho timche zecher amalek”- erase the memory of amalek- but instead substituted the name Rav Ovadiah Yosef.
It was all very clear to him now. He had used the power of his words to harm a big talmid chacham, albeit in a slightly joking fashion. This was a misuse of the divine gift in a most blatant way.
Looking to appease the honor of Maran Ovadia Yosef, he called his Rosh Yeshiva- begging for something he could do to reverse the tide of punishment. First, he was instructed, stay away from any critical talk at all, even if you believe that your shitah is correct- back off. There is no right or wrong when it comes to gedolei Torah. Our words should never be used to mock, disgrace or criticize any Jew. Secondly, he was to go with a minyan to the resting place of Harav Yosef and request forgiveness.
Since it was during the height of corona, he was advised to send a shaliach. And so he did. Within a short period of time his illness vanished. It is true that we can harm others with our words, but frighteningly so this negativity can just as easily have harsh implications on our own lives. But the good news is that the converse is true as well! Thinking and acting positively towards our friends and family, building up our children and our spouses with words of praise and blessing brings us returns that multiply with each passing day.
Written by R’ Avrohom Hillel Reich based on a lesson and story by Harav Ben Tziyon Sneh Shlita
