During the month of Av, we mourn the destruction of the
First and Second Temples. Because the Second Temple was destroyed due to
"causeless hatred," it is customary to make an especial effort during
this month to "guard our tongues" from speaking ill of others. But
watching our speech should not be limited to just one month of the year,
since its benefits can literally save our lives, as the following story
demonstrates.
Rabbi Eliyahu Lopian, one of the great Torah leaders of
the previous generation, happened to be in London during World War II.
Although London was considerably safer for Jews than
most parts of Europe, life during the "Blitz" wasn't easy. Every night
the air raid sirens would wail, signaling the arrival of the Nazi
bombers and their deadly cargo. And every night the citizens of London
would get out of their beds and stumble down to the air raid shelters,
where they waited until the "All Clear" siren was sounded.
One night Rabbi Lopian made the trek down to the shelter
with one of his students. The two found a place in the crowded room and
proceeded to make themselves as comfortable as they could. But they had
only been sitting in the shelter for a few minutes when the student
cried out with alarm.
"Rebbe," the young man said, "someone is speaking ill of
another in this place."
"Gevalt," Reb Eliyahu replied, as he quickly stood up.
"We must get out of here at once."
The two of them fled the shelter and ran to another one
that was nearby. Just a few moments later a bomb fell on the first
shelter and many of the people inside were injured.
