Days of Awe: Day 4: Words

Words: Speakiing With Care

Judaism takes words seriously. Creation itself begins with speech: "And God said..." Words bring something into the world that was not there before. Our words do the same on a human scale.

A kind word can encourage someone for years.

A careless word can wound, sometimes long after the speaker has forgotten. We can use words to comfort, teach, apologize, defend someone, express gratitude, and tell the truth. We can also use them to gossip, diminish, deceive, or hurt.

And sometimes the wisest choice is not to speak at all.

The Days of Awe invite us to notice not only whether our words are true, but whether they are necessary, compassionate, and worthy of the person we hope to become.