Where in the Talmud?

[Dana]

Would anyone be able to tell me where in the Talmud remaining silent over speaking out is not the best option?


The question arises from my listening to a psychologist being interviewed about the psychology of mass movements. There was some discussion about the Solomon Asch Experiment when the psychologist mentioned the Talmud stating that a piece of our soul is lost when we forfeit the opportunity to speak our truth but choose to refrain.

It seems there is more written about silencing the tongue and Lashon Hara then on speaking up when there is a need.  The question then could be how do you know?

Thanks for any help.

[Daryavesh]

Would anyone be able to tell me where in the Talmud remaining silent over speaking out is not the best option?


The question arises from my listening to a psychologist being interviewed about the psychology of mass movements. There was some discussion about the Solomon Asch Experiment when the psychologist mentioned the Talmud stating that a piece of our soul is lost when we forfeit the opportunity to speak our truth but choose to refrain.

It seems there is more written about silencing the tongue and Lashon Hara then on speaking up when there is a need.  The question then could be how do you know?

Thanks for any help.

Generalities......

"When someone's life, profession or spousal choice is at stake, it is a mitzvah to share the relevant negative information."

"Just as it is a mitzvah to speak out when you will be listened to, so it is a mitzvah to not say anything when you know you will not be listened to."

Dana, there is always a tension...... A pulling from both directions...... When considering whether to hold one's tongue or to speak out for the good of all. 

Learned scholars have spent a lifetime studying this subject and have written lengthy dissertations on it, as well.

Should you 'play it safe'? Err on the side of caution and remain silent? Adhere to the notion that if you cannot say something good about someone, say nothing at all?

Or do you have an obligation to speak out under certain circumstances?

As with all things instructive, your source literature and proof text are Torah. For there is only Torah. All else is commentary.

Regarding commentary...... I would suggest beginning your readings with Hilchot Lashon Hara in sefer Chafetz Chaim. Here is a brief overview......

https://torah.org/learning/halashon-chapter10/

If you are well grounded in Torah and feel ready to begin study of Talmud, there are two. The Jerusalem Talmud and the Babylonian Talmud. Both consist of two parts...... Mishna (same for both) and Gemara (different for both). If it is a choice of one or the other, you will probably want to study the Babylonian Talmud......

https://www.holybooks.com/wp-content/upl...Talmud.pdf

https://www.jewishvirtuallibrary.org/talmud-jerusalem

Hope this helps,

Daryavesh

[Dana]

As with all things instructive, your source literature and proof text are Torah. For there is only Torah. All else is commentary.

Regarding commentary...... I would suggest beginning your readings with Hilchot Lashon Hara in sefer Chafetz Chaim. Here is a brief overview......

https://torah.org/learning/halashon-chapter10/

This is perfect for my level.  

Thank you Daryavesh!

[Daryavesh]

As with all things instructive, your source literature and proof text are Torah. For there is only Torah. All else is commentary.

Regarding commentary...... I would suggest beginning your readings with Hilchot Lashon Hara in sefer Chafetz Chaim. Here is a brief overview......

https://torah.org/learning/halashon-chapter10/

This is perfect for my level.  

Thank you Daryavesh!

Happy to be of help, Dana.

Best regards,

Daryavesh