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Words That Hurt, Words That Heal

books | November 28, 2001

This book is a study of Lashon Ha’ra, literally bad tongue (tongue as in ‘native tongue’ or language) and the Jewish teachings regarding ethical speech.

In Hebrew devarim means both ‘words’ and ‘things’; they may be intangible, but they are very real. In the bible, God creates the universe with words. Hindu cosmology too begins with a spoken sound: AUM.

This book explores the life–giving and life–destroying potential of the words we speak.

One teaching compares words to arrows. Why not another weapon, a sword perhaps? If we unsheath our sword in anger, and our friend pleads with us, we might be persuaded to return the blade to it’s scabbard. Sharp words, however, like a fired arrow, may never be retracted.

This book has had an immediate, and I should think lasting, postive effect on me.

Amazon.com: buying info: Words That Hurt Words That Heal : How to Choose Words Wisely and Well

Posted November 28, 2001 07:38 PM