SEFER CHOFETZ CHAIM — Hilchos Rechilus 1:10-11
Pinchos Kornstein and Leibel Barnfeld were at it again. This time, the fight erupted over who would lead the congregation for Shacharis on the Shabbos when both men had yahrtzeit. In the end, the rav ruled that Mr. Kornstein should be chazzan, since he had yahrtzeit for his father, while Mr. Barnfeld was observing his grandfather’s yahrtzeit. Mr. Barnfeld had no choice but to step aside — as he simmered inwardly.
A few weeks later, on the morning of Shabbos Chanukah, Mr. Barnfeld met Chaim Landau on his way to shul. Mr. Barnfeld suddenly recalled an incident that had occurred 10 years earlier. The shul caterer had erred and mistakenly allowed both Mr. Kornstein and Mr. Landau to book the simchah hall for their sons’ bar mitzvahs — on Shabbos Chanukah. The rav sided with Mr. Kornstein, and Mr. Landau had to postpone his celebration for the following Shabbos. For weeks afterwards, Mr. Landau refused to even speak to Mr. Kornstein. However, as time passed the two became friends again — much to Mr. Barnfeld’s dismay.
Now, ten years later, an angry Leibel Barnfeld was eager to stir up trouble against his enemy, Pinchos Kornstein. In as casual a manner as he could muster, he said to Chaim Landau, “Chaim, when I think of Shabbos Chanukah, you know what comes to mind? That bar mitzvah you made ten years ago. I don’t even remember who the other party was, but I do remember that there was a problem with a double booking. And in the end, you had to postpone the bar mitzvah, though the invitations had already gone out. Every time I think about it, I still feel bad for you and your son …”
Mr. Barnfeld is guilty of “rechilus by way of deception.” Without saying anything nasty outright, he has reminded Mr. Landau of an incident that caused a fight between himself and Mr. Kornstein. Though Mr. Barnfeld did not mention Mr. Kornstein by name (and claimed that he could not recall his name), Mr. Landau is sure to remember who the other party was. Reminding Mr. Landau of this might reawaken within him the anger he felt toward Mr. Kornstein at that time, and possibly could lead to an eruption of the old feud — which is exactly what Mr. Barnfeld is hoping for.
The rule, then, is: Do not make any statement that can awaken bad feelings. It makes no difference whether or not names are mentioned or events are merely hinted to. It also makes no difference whether the words of rechilus are spoken or written.
In Hilchos Lashon Hara, we learned that it is forbidden to malign a storekeeper’s merchandise. Here, the Chofetz Chaim applies this to rechilus. It is forbidden to tell a produce dealer, “You know, the other day, Donny Cohen mentioned that your fruits are second-rate and overpriced.”
Such a statement is sure to cause the dealer to have bad feelings towards Donny Cohen, and therefore is rechilus.
IN A NUTSHELL
Never say anything that can reawaken bad feelings which the listener once felt towards the subject.
Never tell a merchant that someone maligned his merchandise.
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