L'chaim L'chaim

Sinas Chinam leads to destruction,

It is worthwhile avoiding its seduction.

On the Day of Judgement, don't forget your name,

You can be punished for someone else's shame.

The Torah is compared to a loved wife,

We waste so many precious moments in life.

The Holy of Holies, lashon hora can reach,

So on Yom Kippur, the kohen would atone for our speech!

Hashem will recount all of our conversations,

Lashon hara spoken causes accusations.

Avoiding lashon hara makes us immune to evil,

But if spoken, it will lead to social upheaval.

Even with many mitzvos, our mouths may lead us astray,

So it is imperative to guard what we say.

If we give a needle, we will get a palace gate,

By starting a little, we could end up with something great!

Today we are reviewing the introduction,

Lashon hara can lead to destruction.

The yetzer hara wears many masks,

Don't distance yourself from never-ending tasks!

If you use the Torah as a guide,

You'll learn to ignore insults and let things slide.

Modesty, compassion, and acts of kindness define a Jew,

The laws of lashon haha need constant review.

Search for the Torah like a treasure,

Toiling in it provides the greatest pleasure.

Despite exile from countless nations,

The Torah has been kept for all generations!

Grasp onto just one branch on the tree of life,

By avoiding speech that causes strife.

The laws of lashon hara, society ignores,

So if you avoid lashon hara, the reward is uniquely yours!

A Jew without Torah is like a fish without water,

So it is crucial to educate our sons and daughters.

The importance of learning cannot be overblown,

Without learning, even prayer is not enough on its own.

Yaakov went to yeshiva for 14 years,

That prepared him to face Lavan's sneers.

Contemplate a mitzvah's reward,

And the yetzer hara will be ignored!