Another matter, “this shall be the law of the leper.” That is what is written: “Do not allow your mouth to cause your flesh to sin” (Ecclesiastes 5:5). Rabbi Yehoshua ben Levi interpreted the verse regarding those who pledge charity publicly but do not give. Rabbi Ḥanina bar Pappa said: It is referring to those who speak slander.
Rabbi Binyamin ben Levi interpreted the verse regarding those who are pretenders in their devotion to Torah study. Rabbi Manei interpreted the verse regarding vows…, as it appears in the midrash of Kohelet.18Kohelet Rabba 5:5. The Rabbis interpreted the verse regarding Miriam.19This is referring to the incident in which Miriam and Aaron spoke against Moses; see Numbers chapter 12. Based on the verse’s usage of the feminine form of the word “spoke [vatedaber]” (Numbers 12:1), it is understood that it was Miriam who did the speaking.
“Do not allow your mouth to cause your flesh to sin,” do not allow one of your limbs to cause all your limbs to sin. “Do not say before the messenger” (Ecclesiastes 5:5), this is Moses; that is what is written: “He sent a messenger and took us out of Egypt” (Numbers 20:16). “It is unwitting” (Ecclesiastes 5:5), “as we have been foolish and we have sinned” (Numbers 12:11). “Why should God become angry at your voice?” (Ecclesiastes 5:5).
At that voice, as it is stated: “The wrath of the Lord was enflamed against them and He departed” (Numbers 12:9). “And destroy your handiwork” (Ecclesiastes 5:5), Rabbi Yoḥanan said: She sinned with her mouth but all her limbs were afflicted. That is what is written: “The cloud withdrew from upon the Tent, [and behold, Miriam was leprous like snow]” (Numbers 12:10). Rabbi Yehoshua ben Levi taught: A word is worth a sela, but silence is worth two [sela], as we learned: Shimon his son said: All my days I grew among the Sages, but I found nothing for the body better than silence.20Mishna Avot 1:17.