[Avodah] Vayeishev "If You Can't Say Something Nice, Then Don't Say Anything At All"

[Cantor Wolberg]

V'LO YACHLU DABRO L'SHALOM (37:4) -   "And they they could not speak  
to him peaceably."
Due to the tremendous jealousy and hostility, the brothers could not  
bring themselves to speak peacefully to Joseph.
Interestingly, Rashi actually commends them for not being two faced.  
He writes: "From their blame we learn their praise.
For they did not speak one way with their mouth and another way with  
their heart."

Though Rashi is correct, I think an even higher level, would be to  
adhere to the old adage: "If you can't say something
nice, then don't say anything at all."  That's a level we all strive  
for, but having someone tell us that they will rule over us
makes it pretty difficult. That would take a true tzaddik, which few  
of us are.

rw



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