There is a parable about a boy who would regularly hurt his friends. He was unable to control his emotions and couldn’t keep himself from speaking harshly. No matter how much he tried, he could not succeed, until one day his father told him to take a wooden board and, each time he hurt someone, to take a nail and hammer it into the board. The boy did as his father instructed. Each time he lost control and hurt someone, he would go to the board and hammer in a nail. Over time, the board filled with nails, and the boy became very embarrassed by his actions. His father then said, "Now, begin to ask forgiveness from each person you hurt, and each time you reconcile with someone, remove one nail."
The boy started asking for forgiveness from those around him. For each apology he received, he pulled a nail out of the board. Eventually, the board was empty of nails. The boy joyfully went to his father and showed him the empty board. His father said to him, "Indeed, there are no nails here anymore. But notice that the board is full of holes that you cannot remove. These holes are left in the hearts of those you hurt. Even if they have forgiven you, the marks left behind will remain forever."
The generation of the Tower of Babel rebelled against HaKadosh Baruch Hu, and said (11:4), 'הבה נבנה לנו עיר ומגדל וראשו בשמים... פן נפוץ על פני כל הארץ' - ‘Come, let us build a city and a tower with its top in the heavens... lest we be dispersed across the whole earth.’ When the time came for their punishment, HKBH said (11:7), 'הבה נרדה ונבלה שם שפתם' - ‘Come, let Us descend and confound their language... and God scattered them from there.’ Rashi explains, "Come (Havah) – measure for measure. They said, 'Come, let us build,’ and He, in turn, measured against them and said, 'Come, let us descend.'" And further, "Hashem dispersed them from there" – fulfilling precisely what they feared when they said, "lest we be dispersed."
Hashem Yisbarach has given us the power of speech, as well as the ability to choose what to say and what not to say. But we must know that every word and action of ours has an impact and leaves an impression, even if we cannot always see it with our eyes. Therefore, we have a duty to be very careful with our deeds and our words. Perhaps, if we always remember that every word has an effect, we will be more cautious, avoid forbidden speech, and refrain from hurting others. Instead, we should increase our good words, kind expressions, and compliments toward those around us.
- Tiv HaTorah - Noach
