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Shmiras Halashon Elementary PREMIUMPREMIUM TORAHTORAH COLLEGECOLLEGE PROGRAMSPROGRAMSTaTa l l Shmiras Halashon Elementary February 2019 Elementary Shmiras Halashon —Study Guide— The elementary Shmiras Halashon examination is based on the book Chofetz Chaim A Lesson A Day By Rabbi Shimon Finkelman and Rabbi Yitzchak Berkowitz, covering the entire 25-page overview and selected sections from the remainder of the book. The overview discusses many concepts of proper speech in depth. The numbered pages alternate between the specific halachos and the concepts of proper speech. The examination contains two parts evaluating your knowledge of the concepts and halachos of Shmiras Halashon. 1. Concepts of Shmiras Halashon There are 30 multiple choice questions and 10 short answer questions (from a choice of 13). Both types of questions cover in detail the concepts discussed in the overview and the odd numbered pages from Days 1–93 and 150–178. This section is worth 50% of the final grade. 2. Halachos of Shmiras Halashon There are 30 multiple choice questions and 10 short answer questions (from a choice of 13). Both types of questions cover in detail the halachos discussed in the even numbered pages from Days 1–50, 91–109, 118–148, 158–174, and 178. This section is worth 50% of the final grade. NOTE: The answers that you give must be found in the syllabus. There may be other correct answers to a question, but they do not receive credit on the examination. This Study Guide is the property of TAL and MUST be returned after you take the exam. Failure to do so is an aveirah of gezel. ShmirasHalashonElemSP v01.indd © 2019 by Torah Accreditation Liaison. All Rights Reserved. Elementary Shmiras Halashon In this Study Guide you will find the syllabus and a sample Shmiras Halashon examination for you to try (page 31). Please utilize the sample to familiarize yourself with the type of questions that are asked, and for guidance as to how to answer them. Time: You will have two hours to complete the formal examination. NOTE: a. Since you are required to answer in black ink, be sure to bring a black pen to your exam. b. Accustom yourself to outlining your answers on scrap paper and writing essays clearly. Illegible exams will not be graded. c. The lowest passing score on this exam is 70. You will not get credit for a score below 70, though in the case of a failed or illegible paper, you may be able to retake the exam after waiting six months. Grades for transcripts are calculated as follows: A = 90–100% B = 80–89% C = 70–79% ShmirasHalashonElemSP v01.indd Page 3 of 37 © 2019 by Torah Accreditation Liaison. All Rights Reserved. Elementary Shmiras Halashon Elementary Shmiras Halashon —Topic Syllabus: Concepts— The Conceptual Topic Syllabus leads you through the book Chofetz Chaim A Lesson A Day, indicating the notes on the right-handed pages that you are required to learn (Sefer Shmiras Halashon). The first section of this syllabus covers the book pages xxi–xlv. Except for the opening paragraphs, the overview is divided according to sub-titles in the margin of the page, such as Take Hold of Life (page xxiii). The topic questions below are referenced according to these subtitles. NOTE: You should be aware that the source book overview often cites pesukim (indented in italics). These pesukim are ALWAYS relevant to the sections which follow — not to the previous sections. Nevertheless, the marginal sub-titles are printed below these pesukim, next to the subsequent text. As you progress through the syllabus, completing the overview and starting the body of the book, you may notice that the bulk of the book is organized according to the daily shmiras halashon learning program, and is not split into content-based sub-sections. In order to aid your studying, the syllabus follows the order of the book (referencing the day numbers in square brackets in the left-hand column), while adding subtitles, e.g., The Importance of Shmiras Halashon (Day 1). These subtitles do not appear in the book A Lesson A Day; their aim is purely to help you mentally organize and categorize the study material conceptually. The subtitles and corresponding topic questions appear in the right-hand column of the syllabus. ShmirasHalashonElemSP v01.indd Page 4 of 37 © 2019 by Torah Accreditation Liaison. All Rights Reserved. Elementary Shmiras Halashon Page Conceptual Topic An Overview / The Beauty of Shmiras Halashon [xxi] Opening Section (untitled); Take Hold of Life Overview: These two sections discuss the nature of speech and the importance of proper speech. What is the essential goal (or “plan”) of the halachos of shmiras halashon? What is unique about the nature of the tongue, and why might Hashem have made it like this? How do the halachos help us better perceive and relate to others? Which negative character traits are usually the source of hurtful words? What are the usual social consequences of such words? For what positive purposes was speech intended — in our relationship to others, to the world (“spiritually”), and to Hashem? [xxiii] Inside Lashon Hara Overview: This section discusses how a person’s thoughts and character traits affect his speech. What negative character traits lead to hurtful words and lashon hara? What positive character traits lead to kind words? How did Chovos Halevavos describe the mouth, and why? [xxiv] To See Good; Getting There Overview: These sections develop the above ideas and show how good speech positively affects our character traits and thoughts. How does seeing good promote shmiras halashon, and how does shmiras halashon promote seeing good? How do the halachos of shmiras halashon make us into better people? [xxv] The Binding Thread Overview: This section shows how shmiras halashon is Hashem’s prerequisite for having a relationship with His people. ShmirasHalashonElemSP v01.indd Page 5 of 37 © 2019 by Torah Accreditation Liaison. All Rights Reserved. Elementary Shmiras Halashon Page Conceptual Topic How is Hashem’s love of the Jewish people dependent on the way they interact with each other? How did the ketores used in the Beis Hamikdash symbolize this? [xxv] The Essence of Speech; A Bridge Between Heaven and Earth Overview: These sections discuss how Jews use speech to serve Hashem. Why is a Jew defined by the way in which he uses his mouth? How can he use his words to imbue the world with kedushah? How do forbidden words prevent him achieving his purpose? Why is the choice to speak or refrain from speaking lashon hara really a choice between whether to exercise one’s G-dly self or earthly self? [xxvii] Redefining Reality Overview: This section discusses how words affect the world around us. How do words — as opposed to mere thoughts — redefine reality? [xxviii] Tied Up in Court; “Judge Your Fellow Man Favorably” Overview: These sections discuss the effects of lashon hara in Heaven. How does lashon hara enable Satan to accuse the person discussed? Why is Satan also allowed to accuse the speaker and listener? (See Days 13–14.) What happens in Shamayim when one Jew judges another Jew favorably? (See Days 98–99.) Words: A Study in Contrasts [xxxi] Words Move Worlds; Words Can Unravel One’s Torah and Mitzvos Overview: These sections discuss the great harm caused by lashon hara and the reward for shmiras halashon. What does lashon hara have to do with the destruction of the Beis Hamikdash? How does the mitzvah of shmiras halashon lead to the building of the new Beis Hamikdash? ShmirasHalashonElemSP v01.indd Page 6 of 37 © 2019 by Torah Accreditation Liaison. All Rights Reserved. Elementary Shmiras Halashon Page Conceptual Topic [xxxii] How does lashon hara affect a person’s Torah and mitzvos? What happens to a person’s mitzvos when he speaks lashon hara? (See Day 17.) How is a person who refrains from speaking lashon hara rewarded? [xxxiv] The View from Within…; Words Have a Profound Affect on Others Overview: These sections discuss how words alter people’s lives. How does lashon hara destroy people’s lives (both external aspects as well as self-image)? How does shmiras halashon better people’s lives? [xxxvi] Words are a Barometer of Ego; Words Imbue Children… Overview: These sections discuss how lashon hara reflects intolerance and how it bequeaths this attitude to one’s children. Shmiras Halashon does the opposite. What beliefs fuel lashon hara or conversely shmiras halashon? How does hearing lashon hara, and in contrast shmiras halashon, affect children’s outlook on life? [xxxvii] Words Define One’s Relationship to Oneself; Words Determine How Others See Us Overview: These sections discuss how lashon hara hurts the speaker. Shmiras halashon does the opposite. How does lashon hara demean the speaker and lead to his own unhappiness? How does shmiras halashon refine the speaker and bring him lasting happiness? How does lashon hara distance the speaker from his friends, and how does shmiras halashon bring him closer to them? [xxxix] Words Reveal or Obscure the Divine Image in Man (There are no topic questions associated with this subtitle.) ShmirasHalashonElemSP v01.indd Page 7 of 37 © 2019 by Torah Accreditation Liaison. All Rights Reserved. Elementary Shmiras Halashon Page Conceptual Topic Lashon Hara: A Well-Stocked Arsenal; Other Prohibited Speech Overview: These sections define and describe the issurim concerning improper speech. What is the technical (or “narrow”) definition of lashon hara? What is the definition of rechilus? What is the literal meaning of the term, and how does it bring animosity between people? What is the definition ofmotzi shem ra? How does it differ from lashon hara? What is the definition of ona’as devarim? What other forms of speech should be avoided? The Road to Peace and Unity Overview: The following sections primarily discuss the benefits and rewards for shmiras halashon.
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