Siyum Masechet Taanit will be this Shabbat morning, Parashat Yitro (Feb. 10th), following Shacharit (which starts at 7:00 AM on the 2nd floor Midrash). Please join us for Seudat Shabbat and Seudat Siyum Masechet at Har HaLebanon on the lower level catering hall (approximately 9:15 AM). Meat sebbet will be served. The Seudat Mitzvah has been graciously sponsored in memory of Mr. Victor Azrak A”H.
Today's Halacha...
The Kaf Ha'chayim (work of Halacha by Rabbi Yaakob Haim Sofer) discusses in Siman 117, S”K 103-105, the grave physical and spiritual dangers that could result from speaking about disasters, even in jest. A person's words have a profound effect regardless of a person's intentions. This is seen most clearly, perhaps, in Moshe's plea to God on behalf of Am Yisrael after the sin of the golden calf, when he declared, "And now, forgive their sin, and if not, erase me from Your book that you have written" (Shemot 32:32). Although God ultimately forgave Benei Yisrael, Moshe's words "erase me from Your book" were fulfilled through the omission of his name from Parashat Tetzaveh. Despite Moshe's greatness and piety, his reference to being erased from God's book had an effect even though the condition upon which it was said was not fulfilled.
Therefore, as the Kaf Ha'chayim cites from the Shela Ha'kadosh (Rabbi Yeshaya Horowitz, Europe, 1565-1630), if a parent wishes to frighten or threaten a child as a disciplinary measure, he should not say things such as, "A dog will come get you" or "A cat will come get you." Even though this is said in jest and not intended as an actual possibility, the words themselves could potentially cause physical or spiritual harm. Likewise, if somebody is missing, one should not make comments such as, "If he were alive he would have contacted me." A person must also refrain from common exaggerated threats such as, "I will kill you" or "I will slaughter him," as these remarks could yield harmful effects. This applies as well to complaints such as, "I feel like dying."
In all these and similar cases, the comment was clearly not intended literally, but nevertheless human speech wields considerable power and one must therefore avoid making reference to calamities, even in jest or as an exaggeration.
