Words, once spoken, can’t be unsaid. But what about the spiritual consequences? Today, we’re diving into Midrash Tehillim, specifically psalm 52, to explore the power – and the potential danger – of our words. This particular psalm is linked to Doeg the Edomite, that infamous gossip, who snitched on David to Saul, setting off a chain of tragic events.
The Midrash opens by quoting Ecclesiastes 5:5: “Do not be rash with your mouth, nor let your heart be hasty to utter a word before God.” It’s a stark reminder to think before we speak, especially when making promises, particularly about charitable giving. Rabbi Yehoshua ben Levi interprets the verse, “Do not give your mouth to sin against your flesh” (Ecclesiastes 5:6), as a warning to those who decide on charitable donations. Be careful not to promise generously and then give stingily.
And what about when we try to weasel out of those promises? The verse continues, "And do not say before the angel" (Ecclesiastes 5:6). Here, the Midrash interprets "angel" as the prayer leader, the one who reminds us of our commitments. If you then claim, "There was a mistake, and I did not know what I was saying," you risk divine anger. "Why should God be angry with you?" Because you uttered a promise and then broke it. The consequence? "And ruin the work of your hands" (Ecclesiastes 5:6) – you lose the merit of the good deeds you intended to do.
Rabbi Levi offers another take: This verse is about hypocrites. The flattery they utter with their mouths leads to God’s anger, and the little bit of good they do manage to do gets all mixed up. It's a potent image, isn't it? That even our good intentions can become twisted when we aren't sincere.
But it's not just about money. The Midrash takes a fascinating turn, bringing in the story of Miriam, Moses' sister. Remember when she spoke against Moses in Numbers 12:1? "And Miriam and Aaron spoke against Moses." What happened? She was struck with leprosy, becoming "leprous, like snow" (Numbers 12:10).
Here, the "angel" in "Do not say before the angel" is interpreted as Moses himself! As Exodus 23:20 says, "And he sent an angel and brought us out of Egypt." But was it really an angel? The Midrash suggests it was Moses. The lesson: even speaking negatively about a righteous leader like Moses can have severe consequences. The "work of your hands" that gets ruined? According to the Midrash, it's Miriam's drums, a reference to Exodus 15:20: "Miriam the prophetess, the sister of Aaron, took the drum." The very instruments of her joy and praise are affected by her words.
The Midrash then connects evil speech to leprosy, stating that those who cause their flesh to sin by what they utter are punished with it. "Do not say in the presence of the angel, this is the priest," it continues, drawing on Malachi 2:7: "For the lips of the priest should guard knowledge, and they should seek instruction from his mouth." The priest is the one who diagnoses leprosy, as Leviticus 14:2 states: "This shall be the law of the leper." The one who speaks evil is brought to the priest, as Leviticus 14:3 notes: "And he shall be brought to the priest." Again, the link between speech and physical manifestation of spiritual illness is made. The "guilt of your hands" is the little Torah you possess – lost because of your slander.
And finally, we come back to our original culprit: Doeg the Edomite. He worried and spoke evil of David, and the Midrash suggests he too was afflicted with leprosy, referencing Psalm 41:6: "And if he comes to see me, he speaks falsehood; his heart gathers iniquity to itself; he goes out and speaks it." The phrase "he shall break down the house" is linked to 2 Samuel 15:13, highlighting that Doeg's slander against David, as recounted in 1 Samuel 22:9 ("Then Doeg the Edomite… said, 'I saw the son of Jesse come to Ahimelek…'"), ultimately led to the downfall of others.
So, what’s the takeaway? The Midrash isn’t just about historical figures or ancient laws. It's about us. It's a powerful reminder that our words have weight. They have consequences, both seen and unseen. They can affect our relationships, our communities, and even our own spiritual well-being. Before we speak, perhaps we should all take a moment to consider: what kind of world are we building with our words?