Rosh Chodesh Shevat (5766) marked the beginning of a new
cycle of the study of the laws of loshon hora,
according to the calendar arranged by HaRav Yitzchok Segal of
Manchester zt"l (whose yahrtzeit was 22 Shvat).
On that occasion, many newcomers joined the hundreds of
thousands of Jews the world over who are already pursuing
this program, which entails studying two halochos per
day from the Chofetz Chaim's Shemiras Haloshon.
Regarding this study, HaRav Segal said: "Every family that
studies two halochos of shemiras haloshon a
day, merits to see a some sort of yeshuo, be it
financially or in the finding of mates for their children or
in other areas."
The organization Notzrei Loshon is one of the main initiators
of these programs. Discussing the great impetus the study of
these halochos has gained over recent years, Notzrei
Loshon's coordinators say: "Until recently, the study of the
laws of shemiras haloshon was nearly the exclusive
pursuit of a few tzaddikim. Today the study of these
laws on a regular basis, at specific times and periods such
as during Bein Hametzorim (the Three Weeks) and Yemei
Hashovavim (the weeks of parshas Shemos through
Mishpotim), has become widespread."
This past Bein Hametzarim, Notzrei Loshon sponsored a series
of shiurim for men on the halochos of
shemiras haloshon in a number of cities, such as
Kiryat Sefer, Brachfeld, Elad, Rechovot, Ashdod, Tiveria,
Bnei Brak and Yerushalayim, with unprecedented results. Each
series consisted of three shiurim.
The purpose of these shiurim was to stress that the
halochos of loshon hora are just as important
as those of milk and meat, and are practical halochos
which one must study, in order to know how to avoid sinning
in this area.
When the Notzrei Loshon activists of Brachfeld organized
these shiurim in their city, they didn't expect even
ten people to attend. How surprised they were, when nearly
one hundred people showed up to each of the three
shiurim. In Kiryat Sefer, a similar phenomenon took
place, and the many shuls where the shiurim were held
were filled to capacity.
Similar shiurim were organized in Bnei Brak during
Bein Hametzarim. Describing these shiurim, their
coordinator says: "They were delivered by the foremost
rabbonim, such as Rav Yaakov Destin and Rav Yaakov Meir
Stern."
When asked how they organized them, the coordinators said:
"We approached the organizers of already existing
shiurim and asked if during the Three Weeks, they
could change their programs and focus on the laws of
shemiras haloshon. HaRav Yitzchok Zilberstein, the rav
of Ramat Elchonon, was one of the prominent maggidei
shiurim who allotted time to this topic."
"This particular period," say the coordinators of Notzrei
Loshon, "wasn't chosen at random. It was selected in order to
help rectify the sin of sinas chinom for which the
Beis Hamikdosh was destroyed.
In Bnei Brak, shiurim were delivered in fifteen shuls
throughout the city, with nearly 500 people attending one
particular shiur on Shabbos.
The organizers of the shiurim have a very interesting
story to tell. They relate that they asked Maran HaRav Yosef
Sholom Eliashiv to sign a letter calling the public to
participate in these shiurim.
Maran HaRav Eliashiv, though, saw no reason for such a
letter, and asked: "Is it also necessary to sign a letter
saying that one is obligated to hear the Reading of the
Torah?"
"Sadly the public doesn't see things that way," the organizer
said.
"You have just said genuine loshon hora about the
tzibbur," Maran HaRav Eliashiv replied and signed.
"Throughout the entire campaign, Maran HaRav Eliashiv
encouraged and backed us immensely," the organizer
continued.
Chassanim Project
Another of Notzrei Loshon's activities is the
chassanim project, which began in Ponovezh. Within the
framework of this project, newly-married couples receive two
copies of the Chofetz Chaim's sefer, accompanied by a warm
letter stating that if a couple studies two halochos
from the Chofetz Chaim's Shemiras Haloshon together
every day, it is laying a strong foundation for its new
home.
This project is subsidized by Shimon Eran Endo, who donated
the money for the distribution of these seforim.
Other Activities
In Rechovot and Ashdod, 15,000 copies of a journal which is
dedicated to the topic of shemiras loshon hora are
distributed. Illustrious talmidei chachomim contribute
to this journal, and the rulings of gedolim such as
HaRav Chaim Kanievsky and others are cited.
In addition, tests are held at the end of every month on the
subject matter being studied in the two-halochos-a-day
cycle. These tests appear in the journal, and may be answered
while one has an open book in front of him. They are then
dropped into special, beautifully designed boxes, hung
throughout the city. Whoever takes them and receives a grade
of no less than 85 percent, is granted a special stipend.
In addition to all this, special pamphlets which include
tests are distributed throughout yeshivos in the country, and
those who are tested receive stubs entitling them to books
and other items.
Similar activities are held for girls in schools and
seminaries throughout the country, where the study of
shemiras haloshon is pursued. There are even programs
in kindergartens in which the subject is presented on a
suitable level.
Despite the broad activity, Notzrei Loshon doesn't rest on
its laurels, and is striving to reach every single Jewish
home. "We can't suffice with a majority. Klal Yisroel must be
totally cleansed of loshon hora and dissent,
especially during these difficult days of ikveso
deMeshicha."
Looseleaf Format
A while ago, Notzrei Loshon prepared a special looseleaf
format of the Chofetz Chaim's Shemiras Haloshon. Each
page in this unique book is laminated, and can be removed
from the looseleaf and then returned to it. This looseleaf is
suitable for public places, such as yeshiva dining rooms and
teachers' rooms, and enables group study with ease.
The printing and lamination of each page were very costly.
Nonetheless, the looseleaf is sold at a low price. Generous
donors, who perpetuated the names of their dear ones, helped
subsidize this project.
In a similar vein, copies of the Chofetz Chaim on Shemiras
Haloshon were sold at a token price to individuals and
groups who resolved to study from the sefer on a
steady basis. Over 300,000 copies of this sefer were
printed and sold at less than cost price.
Children's Activities
Notzrei Loshon sponsors many activities for children. Last
Purim (5765) Notzrei Loshon, along with Mishmeres Hasholom,
organized a competition for children whose costumes were
related to the topic of shemiras haloshon. Recently,
7,000 copies of the sefer Gam Ani Notzer Leshoni for
children, were printed.
Women's Activities
The Mishmeres Hashalom organization, which is comprised of
thousands of women volunteers, put out special pamphlets a
number of months ago for home and family use. These pamphlets
strengthen the awareness of the importance of studying two
halochos on shemiras haloshon a day. Over 2,000
regional representatives function in various neighborhoods,
going from house to house, distributing material on
shemiras haloshon. In addition, it sponsors a special
chavrusa program, in which women study the two
halochos together by telephone. Following are the
numbers of the headquarters where such chavrusas can be
arranged:
For Hebrew speakers in Israel: 02-5821180, 03-5748153.
For English and Yiddish speakers in Israel: 02-5384702
For Russian speakers: 08-9922301
In the United States: 732-8866111
In England: 208-2091340
Ahavas Chessed
Recently, many avreichim have also begun to study the
Chofetz Chaim's Ahavas Chessed on a steady basis. This
study is a direct offshoot of Shemiras Haloshon, since
shemiras haloshon constitutes "sur mei-ra," and
Ahavas Chessed constitutes "asei tov."
Am Yisroel kedoshim! May all who join and support
these efforts merit many blessings and yeshuos.
