Shmiras Halashon Daily

Rabbi Ari Klapper

Master the intricate halachic rules of proper speech with a comprehensive study of the Chofetz Chaim's foundational work. Rabbi Ari Klapper provides a detailed analysis of when speech about others is forbidden vs. permitted, covering workplace gossip, family dynamics, and community situations. Transform your relationships and spiritual growth through mindful speech. One of the most thorough English-language resources on Jewish speech ethics.

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Thursday · 1 min
Daily Chafetz Chaim – Day 271
If you're sure they won't listen anyway, should you even say it? Rabbi Klapper flips the case to the girl's side: what if she has a hidden illness, or her home is one of pritzus, and it's being concealed from the chosson? Here the deciding factor is whether the other side will actually act on the information. If they won't listen and will simply pocket it, there's no to'eles - and worse, later when the shidduch sours it could be dredged up as rechilus ('I should have listened when they told me about this'). But if the person will genuinely be wary and take these serious matters to heart, then it is very important to share, because such things can be a real reason not to proceed with the shidduch. Tune in to see how to'eles turns on the listener - back tomorrow. Hosted by Rabbi Ari Klapper and produced by Eli Podcast Productions, this episode is part of the Real Judaism series, available on RealJudaism.org. Don't forget to subscribe and share to stay connected with our daily lessons and timeless Torah insights!
Monday · 1 min
Daily Chafetz Chaim – Day 270
If both families are stretching the truth about money, who exactly is being wronged? Rabbi Klapper takes up money in shidduchim: if the girl's father pledges an amount everyone believes he can't afford, may you warn the other side? First, it's genuinely hard to know - people who seem to have nothing sometimes manage to come through. But beyond that, the Chofetz Chaim observes that both sides often shade the truth about what they'll bring to the match. Since each one is doing the same, they effectively knock each other out, and there's no reason to expose one side's exaggeration when the other is likely doing it too. As in every case of doubt about whether to speak, the best eitzah is to ask your rav first. Listen in for the practical bottom line - more tomorrow. Hosted by Rabbi Ari Klapper and produced by Eli Podcast Productions, this episode is part of the Real Judaism series, available on RealJudaism.org. Don't forget to subscribe and share to stay connected with our daily lessons and timeless Torah insights!
October 15 · 2 min
Daily Chafetz Chaim – Day 269
If you want to know whether the boy can really learn, why can't you just ask? Rabbi Klapper explains that when someone asks whether a potential chosson is a talmid chacham who knows how to learn, you should not answer. If the girl's side truly wants to know, the tools are in their own hands: the father can sit and learn with the boy himself, or send him to a trusted rav or talmid chacham to be tested. What 'talmid chacham' even means differs entirely depending on who's asking - every family's level is different. So it's their responsibility to check in a permitted way. And if they choose not to, that shows it isn't so important to them and they accept him as he is - which means you still may not reveal this information. A subtle, practical halacha - listen in and come back tomorrow. Hosted by Rabbi Ari Klapper and produced by Eli Podcast Productions, this episode is part of the Real Judaism series, available on RealJudaism.org. Don't forget to subscribe and share to stay connected with our daily lessons and timeless Torah insights!
October 12 · 2 min
Daily Chafetz Chaim – Day 268
When does staying silent about a shidduch become 'standing by your brother's blood'? Rabbi Klapper covers two categories that must be shared in a shidduch. First, a serious hidden condition - a genetic or chronic disease, or someone internally weak and sickly - should be revealed, following all the rules of to'eles: know with complete clarity it's real, don't exaggerate, and keep the proper kavanah. Second, if one side leans toward apikorsus - not believing parts of the Torah, or being mevazeh talmidei chachamim - and you know it as fact, you must tell the other side. This falls under lo saamod al dam rei'echa, not standing by while your brother is endangered. Both must be fully verified with all the rules of to'eles, but both must be said. Serious halachos handled with care - tune in and return tomorrow. Hosted by Rabbi Ari Klapper and produced by Eli Podcast Productions, this episode is part of the Real Judaism series, available on RealJudaism.org. Don't forget to subscribe and share to stay connected with our daily lessons and timeless Torah insights!
October 8 · 1 min
Daily Chafetz Chaim – Day 267
Can a person's grandparents' sins be used to sink his shidduch? Rabbi Klapper teaches that it is forbidden to embarrass someone over the deeds of their ancestors. If a person is a baal teshuvah - a wonderful person, a yerei Shamayim with fine midos - the fact that his parents, grandparents, or great-grandparents lived far from Torah is no reason to ruin his shidduch. In our generation, the Chofetz Chaim reminds us, baalei teshuvah are exceedingly chashuv. Putting someone down for what earlier generations did falls squarely into the category of lashon hara, and one may not speak about it. A powerful reminder about judging people for who they are - listen in and come back tomorrow. Hosted by Rabbi Ari Klapper and produced by Eli Podcast Productions, this episode is part of the Real Judaism series, available on RealJudaism.org. Don't forget to subscribe and share to stay connected with our daily lessons and timeless Torah insights!
October 5 · 2 min
Daily Chafetz Chaim – Day 266
Is it really worth being 'in with the in crowd' if the price is your own good midos? Rabbi Klapper takes a side point from the discussion of judging others' midos: some people are quick-witted enough to cut someone down in a single sharp line, and those who won't join in get labeled dull or unintelligent. But often those 'quiet' people are simply refusing to take part in shtus and aveiros. The Chofetz Chaim warns how culture pulls good people into mocking others just to be popular and cool. Quoting Mesechta Eidus, he teaches it is better to be called a fool your whole life than to do one evil deed before Hashem. Choose your groups carefully - run from those who belittle others, and join those strong in avodas Hashem and midos tovos. Listen and take this one to heart - see you tomorrow. Hosted by Rabbi Ari Klapper and produced by Eli Podcast Productions, this episode is part of the Real Judaism series, available on RealJudaism.org. Don't forget to subscribe and share to stay connected with our daily lessons and timeless Torah insights!
October 1 · 2 min
Daily Chafetz Chaim – Day 265
What if the boy everyone calls 'not so sharp' simply refuses to waste his time on nonsense? Continuing on shidduch information, Rabbi Klapper explains that when it comes to reporting on someone's midos, you have to weigh the perspective of the person telling you. The Chofetz Chaim gives a striking example: a boy who seems dull or unimpressive - not because he lacks intelligence, but because he won't sit around schmoozing and wasting time on ridiculous, non-halachic conversation. From the reporter's vantage point that reads as 'not sharp,' when in truth it reflects fine character. So before you accept a negative report, clarify who you're hearing it from and why they see the person the way they do; a person of wonderful midos can easily be misjudged. Tune in to sharpen how you listen - more tomorrow. Hosted by Rabbi Ari Klapper and produced by Eli Podcast Productions, this episode is part of the Real Judaism series, available on RealJudaism.org. Don't forget to subscribe and share to stay connected with our daily lessons and timeless Torah insights!
September 28 · 2 min
Daily Chafetz Chaim – Day 264
What do you do when a shidduch call catches you off guard and you're not sure what you're allowed to say? Opening the final section of the Sefer Chofetz Chaim, Rabbi Klapper turns to the everyday world of shidduch information. The ideal, he explains, is to ask your rav your questions before the phone ever rings. But if a call surprises you and you genuinely need to ask a shailah, don't stall the caller mid-conversation by saying you need to check whether it's lashon hara - that itself is a form of avak lashon hara and gives the impression something is wrong. Instead simply say you're not available now and offer to call back, then ask your rav in the meantime. Certain things must be said and certain things may never be said - and when unsure, always clarify first. Start here as we open the halachos of shidduchim - listen in and come back tomorrow. Hosted by Rabbi Ari Klapper and produced by Eli Podcast Productions, this episode is part of the Real Judaism series, available on RealJudaism.org. Don't forget to subscribe and share to stay connected with our daily lessons and timeless Torah insights!
September 24 · 1 min
Daily Chafetz Chaim – Day 263
Should you push a friend into a partnership or shidduch you'd never touch yourself? Rabbi Klapper closes with the opposite case: may you encourage someone to enter a partnership or a shidduch? It depends on what you know. If you're aware of something negative — something that would make you refuse the partnership or shidduch for yourself — then you should not encourage the interested party to get involved. There are situations where you may not tell someone about a shidduch already made; but actively urging a person into something you yourself would avoid because you know it's damaging is certainly something you must not do for anyone else. That completes our journey through hilchos rechilus — thank you for learning along. Hosted by Rabbi Ari Klapper and produced by Eli Podcast Productions, this episode is part of the Real Judaism series, available on RealJudaism.org. Don't forget to subscribe and share to stay connected with our daily lessons and timeless Torah insights!
September 22 · 2 min
Daily Chafetz Chaim – Day 262
The partnership is already sealed — can you still warn Reuven that his partner is dishonest? Rabbi Klapper asks what to do once the partnership is already made. It depends, says the Chofetz Chaim, on how Reuven will react. If you know Reuven is careful — that he won't break up the partnership without consulting a Rav and will guard against any loss — then, with the other rules of to'eles in place, it's proper to tell him. But if telling Reuven will make him explode in anger, start a fight, and dissolve the partnership on his own without going derech halacha, you may not reveal it. Even then, since we still want to spare Reuven the loss, any other way of protecting him should be used — ideally after speaking with a Rav. Tomorrow: the opposite case — encouraging someone to join in. Hosted by Rabbi Ari Klapper and produced by Eli Podcast Productions, this episode is part of the Real Judaism series, available on RealJudaism.org. Don't forget to subscribe and share to stay connected with our daily lessons and timeless Torah insights!
September 17 · 2 min
Daily Chafetz Chaim – Day 261
You know the man Reuven is about to partner with is careless with other people's money — do you speak up? Opening the final section of the sefer, Rabbi Klapper brings a common case: Reuven and Shimon are still working out a business partnership, and you know Shimon is negligent with other people's money while Reuven has no idea. Here you certainly should warn Reuven about his potential partner's history — provided all the rules of to'eles are met. But the Chofetz Chaim notes in the hago that a partner simply lacking money is no reason to warn anyone; if he's honest and hardworking, he may make an excellent partner. Adderaba, such a partner might even bring more bracha. The concern is dishonesty and negligence — something clearly negative — not poverty. But what if the partnership is already made? That's tomorrow. Hosted by Rabbi Ari Klapper and produced by Eli Podcast Productions, this episode is part of the Real Judaism series, available on RealJudaism.org. Don't forget to subscribe and share to stay connected with our daily lessons and timeless Torah insights!
September 14 · 1 min
Daily Chafetz Chaim – Day 260
Do these halachos of rechilus protect every single person — no matter what they believe? Rabbi Klapper reaches the closing point of this section: everything said about hilchos lashon hara and rechilus concerns fellow Jews, as the pasuk says amisecha, your nation. But one who is a kofer b'Torah — who denies even a single letter, word, or drasha of the Torah — is not included in amisecha, and it can even be a mitzvah to expose such a person publicly. Yet the Chofetz Chaim warns we cannot decide this on our own. Before ever concluding that someone falls outside amisecha, a person must consult a Rav and be certain the person truly belongs in that category. Verify before you speak — and return tomorrow for the sefer's final examples. Hosted by Rabbi Ari Klapper and produced by Eli Podcast Productions, this episode is part of the Real Judaism series, available on RealJudaism.org. Don't forget to subscribe and share to stay connected with our daily lessons and timeless Torah insights!
September 10 · 2 min
Daily Chafetz Chaim – Day 259
So what should the seller actually say when the disappointed buyer comes back? Rabbi Klapper shows the proper way to handle yesterday's case. Perhaps Shimon never knew Reuven wanted the item, and the seller simply couldn't wait — or even if Shimon pushed the sale through. Either way, when Reuven returns, the seller should name no names: just say somebody came and bought it. And if it's true, he should take the blame on himself — it was my fault. Since a seller may sell to whomever he wants, Reuven really has no basis to be upset, and if he is, he'll find the item elsewhere. This keeps the matter localized and internal, so it doesn't spread into something far worse. Keep it internal — and keep listening tomorrow. Hosted by Rabbi Ari Klapper and produced by Eli Podcast Productions, this episode is part of the Real Judaism series, available on RealJudaism.org. Don't forget to subscribe and share to stay connected with our daily lessons and timeless Torah insights!
September 7 · 2 min
Daily Chafetz Chaim – Day 258
A buyer set an item aside and left for cash — but you sold it to the next customer. What do you tell him? Rabbi Klapper gives a vivid example: Reuven agrees to buy something at a garage sale and leaves to fetch the money; while he's gone, Shimon pays and takes it. When Reuven returns furious, the seller, not wanting to look bad, blames Shimon for forcing the sale. So many problems here: even if it were true that Shimon did it, saying so is still rechilus — the sale is done and revealing it helps no one, only breeding needless hatred. The seller shouldn't say it, and Reuven has no right to believe it either. Both sides must be careful: the seller not to speak, and the disappointed buyer not to accept the tale. How should the seller have handled it? Find out tomorrow. Hosted by Rabbi Ari Klapper and produced by Eli Podcast Productions, this episode is part of the Real Judaism series, available on RealJudaism.org. Don't forget to subscribe and share to stay connected with our daily lessons and timeless Torah insights!
September 3 · 2 min
Daily Chafetz Chaim – Day 257
You voted no in a secret ballot — so can you tell the angry crowd it wasn't your doing? Rabbi Klapper brings the Chofetz Chaim's exception to yesterday's heter of saying I didn't do it. Picture a committee of seven voting privately; you voted no, but the majority voted yes, and the decision hurts people. When one of them asks how the committee voted yes, you may not say I didn't vote yes to distance yourself. The reason: the committee as a whole makes the decision. Just as in beis din, where a dayan who ruled in the minority is still bound to the ruling the court as a whole issues, so the dissenting committee member shares responsibility — and denying his part would itself be rechilus. Join us tomorrow for the next real-life example. Hosted by Rabbi Ari Klapper and produced by Eli Podcast Productions, this episode is part of the Real Judaism series, available on RealJudaism.org. Don't forget to subscribe and share to stay connected with our daily lessons and timeless Torah insights!
August 31 · 2 min
Daily Chafetz Chaim – Day 256
Your car is parked right behind the one that was scraped — and the owner turns and asks you who did it. What now? Rabbi Klapper presents a fresh case: you saw who scraped a man's car, and your own car sits right behind his, making you a suspect. When he demands to know who caused the damage, may you name the culprit? Unless the halacha and all the rules of to'eles tell you it's the right thing to do, simply clearing your own name is not reason enough to reveal the guilty party. What you may do, says the Chofetz Chaim, is say I didn't do it — a person is allowed to exonerate himself without naming the one who's actually to blame. There's an exception to this rule coming — hear it next time. Hosted by Rabbi Ari Klapper and produced by Eli Podcast Productions, this episode is part of the Real Judaism series, available on RealJudaism.org. Don't forget to subscribe and share to stay connected with our daily lessons and timeless Torah insights!
August 27 · 2 min
Daily Chafetz Chaim – Day 255
How many aveiros can hide inside one throwaway comment on the street? Rabbi Klapper counts the damage when one person tells another he was overcharged and the victim storms back to the store, sparking a fight over quality and refunds. In that single exchange a person can violate rechilus and lashon hara, lifnei iver of placing a stumbling block, and onaas devarim of hurting another's feelings — and it can ignite machlokes, sinah, and even worse. Our words carry enormous power: they can build connections between Jews or destroy them. Knowing the halachos beforehand is what lets us recognize that force before we wield it carelessly. Use your words wisely — and come back tomorrow to keep learning. Hosted by Rabbi Ari Klapper and produced by Eli Podcast Productions, this episode is part of the Real Judaism series, available on RealJudaism.org. Don't forget to subscribe and share to stay connected with our daily lessons and timeless Torah insights!
August 24 · 2 min
Daily Chafetz Chaim – Day 254
You spot a friend's new purchase and blurt out that he paid way too much — are you helping or sinning? Rabbi Klapper describes what happens in real life when someone who doesn't know these halachos sees a friend's new purchase and cries, you got robbed, that's the most expensive store! He imagines he's helping, but he's stumbling into rechilus and lashon hara: he doesn't know the going rate, what extras came with it, how long ago it was bought, or the real price. Worse, he can't know what his friend will do with the information — it may just breed anger and hatred toward the store owner and lead to further aveiros. So many sins can flow from a conversation under five minutes. The rule, Rabbi Klapper stresses, is never say anything negative about anybody or anything. Internalize it by hearing it again — and again — tomorrow. Hosted by Rabbi Ari Klapper and produced by Eli Podcast Productions, this episode is part of the Real Judaism series, available on RealJudaism.org. Don't forget to subscribe and share to stay connected with our daily lessons and timeless Torah insights!
August 20 · 2 min
Daily Chafetz Chaim – Day 253
What if he won't go to beis din at all, but takes the law into his own hands? Rabbi Klapper turns to the case where the one cheated may take matters into his own hands rather than going to beis din. Here the Chofetz Chaim adds three more safeguards on top of the earlier five rules of to'eles: you must have firsthand knowledge, not hearsay; there must be two people who would qualify as valid witnesses in beis din; and you must consider whether he'll grab back more than he's owed. Even if all eight rules are met, if he'll bypass beis din and settle it himself, you must not tell him. Better to bring the information to a Rav to find a proper way to recover the loss. Careful is the word of the day — return tomorrow for more. Hosted by Rabbi Ari Klapper and produced by Eli Podcast Productions, this episode is part of the Real Judaism series, available on RealJudaism.org. Don't forget to subscribe and share to stay connected with our daily lessons and timeless Torah insights!
August 17 · 2 min
Daily Chafetz Chaim – Day 252
What if the person you warned marches back to the store and says you're the one who told him? Rabbi Klapper presents the last of these rules of to'eles: what happens when the person you told he was overcharged goes back to the store and announces that ploni said you cheated me. That itself would be rechilus about you. If he'd say only I heard I was overcharged, without naming his source, that's fine. But if he'll name you to the store owner, the Chofetz Chaim is unsure whether you may tell him in the first place — especially if you know he's the type who needs backup to prove he's right. Best, Rabbi Klapper says, to ask a Rav before speaking. Not sure how it applies? Ask your Rav — and listen again tomorrow. Hosted by Rabbi Ari Klapper and produced by Eli Podcast Productions, this episode is part of the Real Judaism series, available on RealJudaism.org. Don't forget to subscribe and share to stay connected with our daily lessons and timeless Torah insights!

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