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The Gift of Speech Refining the way we speak: An inspiring blend of stories, laws, and insights. By Rabbi Shimon Finkelman (Author)  List Price: $20.99 Online Discount: 10% You Pay Only: $18.89 Catalog #: GOSH ISBN-10: 1578194717 ISBN-13: 9781578194711 Binding: Hardcover / Pages: 250 Dimensions: 6 x 9 inches / Weight: 1.25 LBS Published: by ArtScroll Mesorah Publications In Stock?: YES Quantity:  1234567891011121314151617181920212223242526272829303132333435363738394041424344454647484950 Other Editions List Price   Online   Price   In Stock? Paperback    $17.99    $16.19   YES

Read A Sample Chapter
The Benefit of the Doubt
Playing with Fire

Description:

Rabbi Shimon Finkelman has a rare gift. He can discuss moral imperatives in an enjoyable, easy-to-read manner, spiced with heartwarming stories. It's not that he makes light of important subjects, it's that he makes them palatable and persuasive. With a Finkelman book in hand, the reader goes away feeling good about his ability to improve his life and reach his goals.

This book is an original. It tells us how to refine our speech according to the Torah's guidelines. The Gift of Speech deals with the gamut of speech: lashon hara, embarrassing others, conflict, how to say the unpleasant if it must be said, and many other topics that matter in everyday life. This book deals with real situations; it is entirely practical and realistic about how to go about crafting an elevated life.

An added feature is the supplement entitled The Mitzvah of Ahavas Yisrael, for that is the underlying basis of the Torah's requirement that we not use speech as a weapon against others. It is a truism that one will not slander or gossip about one's loved ones, and that is a category that should include every fellow Jew. Rabbi Finkelman offers valuable and interesting insights on how to develop that attitude and, in the process, how to become a better person

Our generation is unique in modern times for its desire to perfect its speech and general character traits. In the century since the sefer Chofetz Chaim was written, there has never been such worldwide interest as there is today in fulfilling what the great sage and tzaddik saw as his vital mission in life. Now the work is well under way, and this book will give it renewed impetus.

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Other Selected Titles by Rabbi Shimon Finkelman:
Chofetz Chaim: A Daily Companion
For Love Of Torah
Lag Ba'omer
Rav Pam
The Manchester Rosh Yeshiva

More...   Click here for full list

Table of Contents

• Preface
• Acknowledgments

• Word Power: The "Chazzan" of Shaarei Chesed / When Everyone's a Loser / Word Disease / The Power of One Word
• Destruction and Rebuilding: Destroyers of Communism / Points to Ponder / The Board Meeting / The Manchester Rosh Yeshivah / A "Business Proposition"
• The Truth Hurts: The Hotel Manager / See the Good / Nothing New / A Moment of Victory
• The Benefit of the Doubt: A Special Worker / Surprise / A Case in Point / Measure for Measure
• A Shameful Mistake: A Reason to Weep / Tea, Anyone? / A Time to Be Silent / Reb Yaakov's Concern / No Strength to Shame
• Painful Words: "I Didn't Mean it" / Practical Jokes / Sensitive Souls / Thoughtful Silence / Inward and Outward
• Put-downs: Trust in Hashem / The Right Approach / The Ravages of Jealousy / The Prayer of R' Nechunia / Bad Humor
• Not-So-Innocent Remarks: Negative Comments / Loose Tongues
• "In My Opinion...": The Chofetz Chaim and the Cook / Speech Analysts / Watch Your Praise
• Common Misconceptions: "And There We Were..." / "...Eighteen Hundred Dollars!" / "...I Always Find Food on the Table" / "Now, Naftali's Brother..." / Double Identity / Silent Lashon Hara / Hidden Lashon Hara
• Bad News: The Big Lie / Disparaging Torah Scholars / A Thoughtless Remark / When Great Men Disagree / Living Scrolls / Highway Robbery
• Wholesale Destruction: The Truth Be Told / "The Shopping Bag Ladies" / His Second Mistake / A First-hand Lesson
• Playing with Fire: The Real Enemy / Real Strength / In the Way of Moshe / The Only Solution / Sign of True Love / Sound Advice / Seek Peace
• When Bad is Good: Risky Partnerships / Two Sides of a Coin / An Innocent Victim / A "Sticky" Situation / The Way to Criticize / The Seventh Condition / A Quick Review
• Family Talk: Chaim's Mistakes / Yaffa's Humor / Between Husband and Wife / One Small Spark / Another Exception / A Place for the Shechinah
• Rechilus: Third-party Support / In All Circumstances / When the Stakes Are High / For the Sake of Peace / Shame of Honor
• Shades of Ill Will: Causing Distress / Avak Rechilus / Unfortunate and Avoidable
• Repairing the Damage: "I Have Sinned" / Between Man and Man / R' Elyah Lopian / A Child's Regret
• The Art of Not Listening: A Time to Leave / Of Fingers and Ear Lobes / On the Battlefront / Against the Current / Air Pollution / Strategies / Corrupted Speech
• Listening vs. Accepting: The Death of Gedaliah / Exceptions / A General Rule
• Squandering One's Wealth: A Frightening Exchange / A Jew's Craft / Turning Point / Prayer Bashing / In Hashem's Palace / Lashon Hara in Shul / The Tosafos Yom Tov's Prayer
• Nothing but the Truth: Language of the Heart
• Fine Tuning: A Hidden Flaw / The Right Expression / A Tzaddik's Wish
• The Right Word: "Good Morning" / A Letter to Ben / A Good Listener

• "...As Yourself": A Heartless Request / A Helping Hand / Visitors for Bentzy / Prayer Preparation
• Three Levels of Love: A Good Friend / Level Two / Never Too Busy / A Model for All / The Highest Level / Hillel's Rule
• The Great Rule: All-encompassing / The Totality of Torah / Love Your Fellow, Love Hashem / The Power of Unity / With One Heart / "I Am Hashem"
• Children of One Father : Those Who Are Distant / A Praiseworthy Jew / For His Enemy's Sake / "Reb Shmuel" / A Higher Purpose
• Lessons of Greatness: The Hostage Crisis / Everyone's Friend (I) / Everyone's Friend (II) / For Those Who Caused Him Pain / No Time to Rest / For Every Jewish Child / A Hug for Life

• Sources