How False Testimony Strikes Like Spear and Sword and Arrow

Midrash Mishlei 25:4

Curated by Arthur·Told by Maggid·

"A club and a sword and a sharpened arrow - so is a man who bears false witness against his neighbor" (Proverbs 25:18). Rabbi Abbahu said: Come and see how grave is the evil tongue, set against these three things, against the spears and the sword and the arrows. Just as the spear pierces and kills, so the evil tongue kills and slays; and just as the sword kills and slays, so the evil tongue kills and slays; and just as this arrow - one throws it and cannot bring it back - so the evil tongue kills and slays. And just as David cursed it, so Solomon cursed it: David said "May the LORD cut off all flattering lips, the tongue that speaks boastful things" (Psalms 12:4), and Solomon said "A club and a sword and a sharpened arrow."

Themes

SpeechEthicsDivine Justice

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