Al Chet 4

Category: Al Chet (Confession)

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Exploring the Al Chet Prayer
Al Chet 4
by Rabbi Shraga Simmons

4. For the mistakes we committed before You through things we blurted out with our lips.
A wise man once said, "You don't have to say everything you think." The Talmud says that when we speak, our lips and teeth should act as "gates," controlling whatever flows out. Ask yourself:
Do I think before I speak?
Am I prone to thoughtless outbursts?
Do I make hasty promises that I am unlikely to fulfill?

Al Chet 4
The 44  Roots of Mistakes
by George Brock

4.   For the mistakes committed by what is blurted out of one's lips....

ñ  A wise man once said, you don't have to say everything you think.

ñ  The Talmud says that when we speak, our lips and teeth should act as gates – controlling whatever flows out.

ñ  The battle is between speaking or remaining silent.  The wise man, even when he holds his tongue says more than the fool when he speaks.

ñ   The cause is overreacting to one's circumstances – one is not controlled by one's circumstances, one is tested by them.

ñ   The victory  comes when one can control what is said and unsaid, realizing if G-d gives thought to what one says should one not also do the same.       

ñ    The goal is when one's words are not better than silence one should keep silent until one discovers the truth.

ñ   If one will remember that having something to say is more important than wanting to say something one would overcome the mistakes committed by what is blurting out of one's lips.