articles on Orchot Tzaddikim
Lessons on Orchot Tzaddikim
Orchot Tzaddikim class 71, Teshuva part ii
The class deals with 7 reasons why not to delay one's Teshuva, and 7 additional aspects which make Teshuva challenging.
Rabbi Ari Shvat | Kislev 5786
Orchot Tzaddikim- class 70, Teshuva part i
This class begins the new topic of Teshuva, discussing the greatness and need, the easiness and the difficulty involved. There is also an interesting aside relating to the greatness and importance of Yerushalayim, including a classic story told by Rav Soloveichik.
Rabbi Ari Shvat | Kislev 5786
Orchot Tzaddikim class 68, "Speech" part iv
It's especially problematic to scare children, and "I was only joking" is not an excuse for Lashon HaRah. Similarly, the concept of "it takes one to know one" should encourage people not to talk bad about others, for you may be "projecting" your own faults. Today's class also (somewhat) reveals the identity of the author of Orchot Tzaddikim, for he (as previously!) holds like the maverick opinion of the Smag regarding giving others the benefit of the doubt, which he holds is a Torah prohibition! He also holds that revealing a secret, even after many years, is also a Torah prohibition.
Rabbi Ari Shvat | Cheshvan 5786
Orchot Tzaddikim 67, Gossip- Lashon HaRah part iii
The class deals with many additional practical and common examples of Lashon HaRah. The best way to improve our speech is by learning as often and as many examples as possible.
Rabbi Ari Shvat | Cheshvan 5786
Orchot Tzaddikim class 66, Gossip part ii
The class deals with how to work in journalism & read newspapers, as well dealing with politics according to the laws of gossip & slander. Also to the power of words and positive speech. The class also deals with why Lashon Harah is singled out in rabbinical literature as particularly severe.
Rabbi Ari Shvat | Cheshvan 5786
Orchot Tzaddikim class 66, Gossip part i - Description & Source sheet
The Orchot Tzaddikim was written about 500 years before the Chafetz Chaim's classic work on Shmirat HaLashon and the laws of Lashon Hara (gossip and forbidden speech). This opening class explains why this prohibition is viewed with such severity in Jewish law.
Rabbi Ari Shvat | Cheshvan 5786
Orchot Tzaddikim (class 65), "Flattery" part ii
Most people don't even realize that "flattering" is problematic. This especially important and practical class deals with the question: when it's allowed and sometimes even virtuous (e.g. within the family, with students), but also when it's surprisingly prohibited!
Rabbi Ari Shvat | Tishrei 5786
