Feathers in the wind....

The Three Weeks between the Seventeenth of Tamuz and the Ninth of Av are Three Weeks of introspection over the destruction of the Holy Temples and yearning for the third Holy Temple, it is appropriate to increase in acts of kindness, including making sure that what we say and how we say it, is filled with love.

Lashon Hara - literally, evil talk. Gossip, rumor, hearsay. Talking behind someone's back. Revealing secrets. Betraying a confidence. However we describe it, lashon hara can be one of the most destructive, harmful things we can do. Not only if the words are true, but especially if the words are true.

There's a famous story about a villager who loved to gossip. He knew it was wrong, but he couldn't help himself. It got to the point where people stopped talking to him. Even innocent remarks were turned into something scandalous.

Finally, he approached the rabbi of the town, "Rabbi," the man said, "I know it's wrong, I know it's harmful, but I just can't stop. Help me," he begged.

"Go home", said the Rabbi "and bring back a pillow stuffed with feathers".

The man did as told. The Rabbi then handed a large knife to the man and instructed him to slit open the pillow.

The man obeyed and before he knew it, feathers were flying everywhere, swirling around him, carried in all directions by the wind.

"Now," the rabbi commanded sternly, "bring back the feathers. Restuff the pillow."

The man looked around, mouth open. When he heard the rabbi's order and saw the severity on the rabbi's face, he started to cry.

"I can't," he sobbed. "There are so many feathers. They have gone so far. Who knows where they are, where they went?"

"Exactly so," said the rabbi gently. "Exactly so. Gossip, slander, rumor - even if true, especially if true, lashon hara scatters to the wind going we know not where, touching we know not who. How much easier to keep our own knife - our tongue - sheathed and not have to restuff the pillow."