May 13, 2021 · 00:07:38
Many times a person will put down his friend while with him about previous mistakes, family issues, not being so learned, etc. This will overwhelm him and he will be unable to respond, even if there are no others around it's a transgression of "And you shall not wrong, one man his fellow". The Sefer HaChinuch tells us that if there was a hanging in a family, we need to be sensitive not to even mention the word 'hang' to him in any context. The Gemara says that a sincere smile is greater than giving a glass of milk, the Alter of Slabodka depicts this in a scenario where its sweltering outside and the person is salivating for a refreshing cold cup of milk, yet still the respect that is given over with a smile and acknowledgement that I'm happy to see you is worth more. We should also note how it doesn't cost us anything to perform this kindness and it is still worth so much. Chofetz Chaim, Introduction (Lavin) וּפְעָמִים הַרְבֵּה מָצוּי עוֹד לָאו אֶחָד, וְהוּא לְפִי מַה שֶּׁרְגִילִין הַרְבֵּה פְּעָמִים לְבַזּוֹת לַחֲבֵרוֹ (יג) בְּמַעֲשָׂיו הָרִאשׁוֹנִים אוֹ בִּפְגַם מִשְׁפָּחָה אוֹ בְּמִעוּט חָכְמָתוֹ בַּתּוֹרָה אוֹ בִּמְלַאכְתּוֹ, כָּל אִישׁ לְפִי עִנְיָנוֹ, אֲשֶׁר נֹאמַר לוֹ דְּבָרִים, אֲשֶׁר יַכְעִיסוּהוּ וְיַבְהִילוּהוּ, וְלֹא יוּכַל לְהֵעָזֵר מֵהֶם, אֲפִלּוּ אִם הָיָה הַדָּבָר בֵּינוֹ לְבֵין עַצְמוֹ, עוֹבֵר עַל לָאו (ויקרא כ"ה י"ז) דְּ''לֹא תוֹנוּ אִישׁ אֶת עֲמִיתוֹ'' דְּאַיְרֵי בְּאוֹנָאַת דְּבָרִים, כִּדְאִיתָא בְּבָבָא מְצִיעָא (דף נ"ח:), וְקַל וָחֹמֶר אִם הָיָה זֶה בִּ