Proper Speech

The Gemara in Masechet Pesachim noted that there is a reason for the Torah’s choice of words in describing the animals unfit for a sacrifice.

Instead of simply saying that there were animals that were טהור, pure, and animals that were טמא, impure, it was worded differently. The word, “טמא” was not used. The Torah took the effort of writing eight more letters, and called these unfit animals as איננה טהורה, “not pure.” It was to serve as a reminder that one must not allow his mouth to utter an unclean or inappropriate word.

Aside from the obvious demand that one should not use profanity in his speech, he should also realize the power of words. Specifically, cursing another person or wishing that bad things happen to a person that one dislikes, can be a very serious matter.

This is why speech can be more harmful than causing bodily harm. One’s wounds can heal, but one can never take back the words that left his mouth.

The curses are potentially very dangerous. It can certainly happen that the evil that one wishes on his adversary, will come back to him. His curses can bring about his own downfall.

This is the lesson of the Talmud. We must never minimize the power of words. If I hear that someone uses language like, “Drop dead,” or “I wish he were dead,” are dangerous statements to make. Jews are not supposed to speak that way.

The righteous are connected with the attribute of silence. They choose their words very carefully. They take the message of the “not pure” animals very seriously. We must do the same.