6 Iyar 5768
11 May

reveal information which one was told in confidence. (Sharing

confidential information to save someone from harm will be

discussed later.) This falls under the category of rechilus, for

divulging secrets fosters the sort of lack of self control in

speech-related matters which leads to actual rechilus.

When publicizing a secret could prove damaging, doing so would

constitute speaking both avak rechilus and actual loshon hora. Even

when no damage was foreseen, the mere violation of confidentiality

renders one a holech rachil, gossipmonger.

The following segment is a translation from the Chofetz Chaim's writings on the philosophy of proper speech from the Sefer Shmiras Halashon.

Lost Opportunities

mitzvos, he realizes that he has nothing to be arrogant about. As the Sages

put it, "If you lack knowledge, then what have you acquired?' (Bereishis

Rabbah 1:6). And if one does have a bit of Torah and mitzvos to his credit,

nevertheless, honest reflection will result in the realization that he has

utilized only a fraction of the potential with which he has been Divinely endowed.

This last point is illustrated by the following parable:1

A businessman sent two of his employees, David and Yaakov, to a faraway

land to buy precious gems. To David, the businessman gave one thousand gold

coins; to Yaakov, he gave one hundred. On the way, the two squandered much of

their money on worthless merchandise. By the time they arrived at their destination,

David had two hundred coins remaining, while Yaakov was left with forty.

One day the two became embroiled in a dispute. In his rage, David shouted,

"You are but a pauper compared to me, for I possess five times the amount

of money that you have!' An outsider who had been listening to the argument

spoke up, "What are you boasting about, you fool?! Everyone knows that the

money which you have with you is not your own. In fact, you are far poorer

than Yaakov. Both of you have squandered away your employer's money. However,

you have wasted eight hundred coins, while Yaakov wasted only sixty. What will

you do when your employer will demand an accounting of all the money he gave you?

You will find yourself burdened with an enormous debt and will be filled with shame

-- far more shame than the man to whom you are boasting!'

Every soul that descends to this world is an emissary of Hashem, endowed with a

mission to perfect his soul in accordance with its Divinely endowed abilities.

It is foolish for a person to feel proud that he has been blessed with superior

intellect, for his intellect is not his own acquisition. Rather, it has been

granted him by Hashem so that he can accomplish his unique purpose in this world.

Therefore, one should ponder how he has used his inborn gifts, how he has spent

each of his days, and how much valuable time he has squandered. It may well be

that the man of superior intellect and talent has used but a small fraction of

his inborn abilities. As such, he certainly has nothing of which to be proud.