“Two valid witnesses came before rabbinical court and testified that they personally saw Rabbi Bunim of Parshischo eating cake and coffee and Yom Kippur after the recital of Kol Nidre.
“The rabbis investigate the matter and found out
exactly what had actually occurred. Rav Bunim’s daughter-in-law gave birth
right before Yom Kippur. About an hour into Yom Kippur Rav Bunim asked if she
had eaten anything, since one is required to eat despite the fast in such
circumstances. When he was told that she refused to eat because it was Yom
Kippur, he insisted that she take some refreshment. She said that she refuses
to eat unless her father-in-law personally gave her the food. Since this was a
matter of saving a life, Rav Bunim took cake and a drink in his hands and
brought them to her. Just at that moment, the two witnesses passed by the
window and saw Rav Bunim holding the food. They mistakenly assumed that he was
going to eat the food himself. (Eser Zchuyos, p. 102)” {from Love Your
Neighbor by Zelig Pliskin, p. 193}
We learned two things from the above story. One should
never believe rumors unless they were absolutely true. Similarly one should
always believe that if the other side were heard, a very different account
would be given of the matter.
One of the 10 Commandments found in this week’s Torah
portion, Yitro, reflects God’s desire for us to live truthfully. “You shall not
give false testimony against your neighbor” (Exodus 20:16) Another mitzvah in
Exodus reinforces this commandment: “Do not spread false reports” (23:1) God
knew that giving false testimony and spreading gossip would erode the love that
we have for one another.
Think of how different the world would be if each of
us never spread rumors and false reports and we stop them the moment we heard them.
May God strengthen us only to speak the truth with love so that all our words,
intentions, and actions sanctify God’s holy name.
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