I’m researching the “Shmiras HaLashon” movement (Campaign against negative speech known as “Lashon Harah”) that has arisen in the past 10 or so years. In general, I’m interested in how popular this subject has become, among who and why. Specifically, I’m trying to answer these questions….
[Answers are inserted within the original questions below]
Thanks for asking this interesting question. Here are your answers presented in a very abbreviated manner.
Social movements arise for a reason — usually to address a perceived problem or to change the society in which they occur. When and why did this movement arise? What is it’s purpose and how does it frame the issue being addressed, i.e. theologically, culturally, politically or some other way?
The reason is that the Talmud teaches that speaking evil speech is a grave sin. As a result if we want to bring the Mashiach in our days we need to guard our tongue actively. The religious communities are really the only ones embracing these teachings. Outside of the Torah communities lashon hara is not actively worked on as a religious goal, just a “nice social issue” to talk about in a speech. From the Torah Jew’s perspective it is as important as putting on teffilin or saying prayers. The “movement,” as you named it, began because Torah Jews realized that without pressure to pay attention to this important concept it is overlooked. It is the easiest of the commandments to overlook and it is hard to stay away from. As a result a lot of effort and resources has gone into the prevention of and the education about the laws of lashon hara.
Who are the active participants and how do they become involved in the movement? I know the Chofetz Chaim Heritage Foundation plays a key role in this movement by distributing books, videos, etc. But the movement seems to have grown beyond this single institution to be widely embraced by other organizations and groups (like at Torah.org). Is this a movement within the Torah-observant community or does it extend to less observant, even secular Jews?
The participants are all Jews interested in Torah. There is no organization to belong to or affiliation to sign up for. There are educational organizations like the Chofetz Chaim Heritage Foundation, but they are not the head of a movement, just an educational organization funded to disseminate information. All Orthodox shuls are on board with programs, lessons, videos, and other methods of teaching the teachings of the Chofetz Chaim and other prominent rabbis who emphasized the importance of watching what we say. Many non-orthodox synagogues also show the videos. The difference is in the way it is presented. If it is not presented as law – just like you have matzah on Passover you watch your tongue and are subject to reward and punishment vis-a-vis your ability to do so – then the laws of lashon hara are not being taught in accordance with the teachings of the Chofetz Chaim and other great sages. It is very common in today’s society to teach these concepts as concepts and not law. They are in fact law and need to be treated as such.
How does the movement manifest itself? What can you tell me about shmiras halashon circles and who participates in them? Or the growing custom of playing videos about lashon hara on Tisha B’av? Or the shmiras halashon rallies that have been held in various cities? (There was one while I was in Jerusalem last year that attracted more than 10,000 people. Interestingly, most of them were women. Why was that?) Someone was telling me the other day about a new custom at Jewish wedding reception in which tables display signs that say, “Lashon hara not spoken here.” Do you know anything about that, or similar actions or customs that have come out of this movement?
There are shmiras haloshon groups all over the US that have arisen – not just in Orthodox circles, but as an outreach arm of orthodox organizations to not yet observant Jews. There are “mussar groups” (devoted to character improvement) that have arisen – case in point – St. Louis, MO with Aish HaTorah. They brought in Alan Morinis and then started many mussar groups around the city. It was very successful and loshon hara was a major component of those groups. He has spoken all over the country. It is an obvious concept to most people, but making choices to change your lifestyle is a very hard thing to do. Most people talk and gossip and do not consider that what they are saying is wrong.
Is the SH movement related to a recent revival of mussar?
I think that they are closely related, but mussar in general is something that includes everything that we do. Mussar simply gives us an attitude with which to look at our lives and make decisions. I think that there is a connection between studying the mussar teachings and becoming more aware of speech patterns.
I would also be very interested in getting information about what specific congregations or groups have done as part of this movement.
Like I wrote previously, most Orthodox shuls have an ongoing shmiras haloshon program or at least an ongoing mussar study group. It is spoken about as part of life in Torah circles. I know that at TICK (the name of an Orthodox synagogue in Chesterfield, MO) they read from the Chofetz Chaim every Sunday morning after prayer services. Many people read from his books on Friday evening at the Shabbat tables and many people get daily or weekly emails from the Chofetz Chaim Heritage Foundation regarding a lesson from the laws of lashon hara.
Be Well,
Rabbi Litt