Nothing but the Truth
I once was staying somewhere and had a private room. As I sat in my room, I overheard two people speaking about me. What they said was not complimentary.
I did not want to embarrass them, so I remained in my room for a long time, not even opening the door. In order to cease the flow of lashon hara, though, I wanted them to be aware that someone else was in the next room and could hear every word they said. What did I do? I moved around the furniture in order to make some noise.
A few minutes later, one of the men exited. I was finally able to leave without shaming anyone. As I walked out, I greeted the second man, asking after his welfare. He answered me in a most convivial manner, acting like my best friend, even though just a few moments earlier, he had severely degraded me.
“Do you like me?” I asked him.
“Certainly,” he replied.
“Then think about all the things you just said about me,” I stated. I then rebuked him for his lack of integrity. How could he like me when he speaks so negatively about me?
We learn the trait of truthfulness from Yaakov Avinu. He was extremely careful with everything that came out of his mouth. When he called Eisav his master, he meant it, in his presence and in his absence. Similarly, when the brothers had a grievance toward Yosef, they did not smile at him and smirk behind his back. They simply could not speak peacefully with him, for they were at odds with him.
Let us all embrace the quality of truth, which we learn from our forefathers. Every person must make sure that his mouth and his heart are one. Speaking sweet talk while harboring feelings of resentment toward another Jew cheats both the person and the one he spoke about.
