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Should You Be Sorry for Slips of the Tongue?

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Should You Be Sorry for Slips of the Tongue?

If you hurt someone’s feelings as a result of a mere slip of the tongue, presumably there is nothing to be sorry for. Presumably it “meant nothing.” Unless, of course, unconscious gestures are even more meaningful than conscious ones.

Topics:

Freudian Psychology, Psychology & Behavior, Subconscious, Sin Offering, Vayikra

By Michael Chighel

Michael Chighel (Kigel) received his Ph.D. in philosophy from the University of Toronto for his dissertation on the Book of Job, after a specialization in 20th-century French and German thought. In Canada he taught in the departments of philosophy and of Jewish studies at the universities of York, Queen’s and Waterloo. He produced Passages and Messages for eleven seasons on Canadian television (CTS). Until this year he held the Rohr Chair of Jewish Studies at the Lauder Business School in Vienna, where he taught Torah, European ethics and political economy. He has translated a number of books and published various articles in Jewish thought. Michael and his family have made aliyah, and now live in Jerusalem.

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11 Comments

Gabriel Mondragon March 22, 2024

This was great Reply

Eleanor Skibo Pennsylvania, USA March 25, 2020

Sometimes a slip or slips of our tongues are warranted. Just how much back yard gossip, untruths, laughable jokes and so forth do we sometimes have to take by what I would call illiterate ignorant neighbors, colleagues and even friends do we have to be subjected to before our tongues go wacky and start going up an down and even sideways. No matter how much most of us try to convince ourselves that people don’t really mean what they say or even do; we live in a world where there’re quite a few people who only care about themselves. I don’t think they’re going back home and asking for G d’s forgiveness or even praying for a change of attitude, so as, to not repeat what they make habits out of their behaviors. Of course, I could be prejudging, but there’s just that feeling in
your heart and stomach that sickens you and you kind of know that those people aren’t the
types of people to surround yourself with. It would be best to move on so your tongue stays in your mouth. Reply

Pedro Cuvi June 13, 2019

Fascinating, thank you. It enlightens plenty of thoughts. Reply

Stefano Bomben Zoppola April 3, 2019

Are then in Exodus 34.7 the sins ordered from the least to the most serious: voluntary, intentional, involuntary? Reply

Joel Fine, MD Vacaville, CA March 13, 2019

A funny story....that just happened. I came to this spot to write the short, complimentary comment, "You are one talented dude". When I typed it out, the spell checker had spelled out "You are untalented dude". I got a kick out of the spell checkers slip! :)

Yasher koach. Very good work! Reply

Maryasha Schild Spring Valley March 13, 2019

I remember learning this sicha in school!!

Please continue making these videos for a very, very long time. I would appreciate it a whole awful lot.

But Dr. Chigel, do you know why it has to be 48 times the price of a regular sin offering?
Does that mean if someone would spend $20 on a sin offering, he needs to spend $960 on an asham talui? That seems very extreme. And why specifically the number 48? Reply

Michael Chighel Jerusalem March 16, 2019

in response to Maryasha Schild:

Good quesion, Maryasha! In the sicha (p. 944; see credits) on which the video is based, the Rebbe cites the Talmud (Tractate Zevachim 48a) where it specifies that the cost of a sin offering had to be a minimum of a monetary unit known as a "danka" (= 1/6 silver dinar), while the minimum cost of an asham talui was two "selas," where a sela was equivalent to 24 dankas. Hence 48. Why 48? No doubt there is a deep mystical significance; but it is quite beyond me. The price difference between the sacrifices in indeed extreme, and the Rebbe's entire psychological point is underscored by this extreme difference. After all it is as extreme as the difference between one sinful act and an entire personality that is sinful. Reply

Ephraim Hashmonaim March 13, 2019

Wow Rabbi,what a great video! I think you're really onto something here with these clever, interesting, fun,and digestible Torah themed videos.There are many neshamos, including myself admittedly, spending too much time watching YouTube videos. I tend to watch a lot of documentaries and educational stuff, but would love to see videos addressing the same things on the world from a Torah perspective.Like Jewish perspectives of history, halacha as it applies to all of the tech that is coming out daily,Torah ethics on modern issues, and making spiritual concepts easier to understand and digest through 21st century visual representations.There's entire demographics of Jews who might be interested in learning, if it wasn't all black and white text, or entirely comprised of one Rabbi dressed in black and white talking.It may be a sad thing that due to over stimulation, many people today find themselves with some sort of acquired ADD,but that shouldn't be a reason to be cut off from Torah. TY Reply

K. Toronto March 14, 2019

in response to Ephraim:

Well i agree totally. The thought of Freud making up his own twist on halacha ... should we call that 'over ego'?!

More 'example cases'? Each one of these series with your multitude of alter egos, Dr. Chigel were fun and illuminating. Congrats!! Reply

Anonymous March 13, 2019

Thanks Rabbi, very insightful. Have you considered doing Parshah Perks for kids? My children loved your "Your Backstory" classes and I think you could do a great Parshah Perks for children. Reply

Michael Chighel Jerusalem March 13, 2019

in response to Anonymous:

... an old and long-cherished personal dream. :) Reply

Should You Be Sorry for Slips of the Tongue?

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