In this Mussar Masterclass (Day 116) from Orchos Tzaddikim's Gate of Silence, Rabbi Aryeh Wolbe teaches the seven hallmarks of a wise person (chacham) versus a fool (golem): a wise person speaks only after greater/older people, avoids interrupting, answers thoughtfully and in order, admits "I didn't hear" or "I don't know," and concedes truth—while a fool does the opposite.

Silence earns reward when listening to the wise, but becomes sinful when rooted in arrogance ("I know more"). Wise speech adds flavor like salt or a ruby in gold; weak or foolish words are ignored. If your advice is rejected, quietly share it through someone influential instead of persisting.

Idle chatter (sichah betelah) destroys concentration in prayer and fear of heaven—guarding speech like precious jewels in layered safes is essential. The episode concludes with an introduction to four categories (mockers, liars, flatterers, slanderers) who cannot receive the Divine Presence, promising deeper exploration next time.

Recorded at TORCH Centre in the Levin Family Studios (B) to a live audience on July 1, 2025, in Houston, Texas.
Released as Podcast on January 11, 2026
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This series on Orchos Tzadikim/Ways of the Righteous is produced in partnership with Hachzek.
Join the revolution of daily Mussar study at hachzek.com.
We are using the Treasure of Life edition of the Orchos Tzadikkim (Published by Feldheim)

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Listen, Subscribe & Share:

• Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/jewish-inspiration-podcast-rabbi-aryeh-wolbe/id1476610783
• Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/4r0KfjMzmCNQbiNaZBCSU7) to stay inspired!

Share your questions at aw@torchweb.org or visit torchweb.org for more Torah content.
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About the Host:
Rabbi Aryeh Wolbe, Director of TORCH in Houston, brings decades of Torah scholarship to guide listeners in applying Jewish wisdom to daily life. To directly send your questions, comments, and feedback, please email: awolbe@torchweb.org

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Support Our Mission:
Our Mission is Connecting Jews & Judaism. Help us spread Judaism globally by sponsoring an episode at torchweb.org.
Your support makes a HUGE difference!
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Listen More
Other podcasts by Rabbi Aryeh Wolbe:

• NEW!! Prayer Podcast: https://prayerpodcast.transistor.fm/episodes
• Jewish Inspiration Podcast: https://inspiration.transistor.fm/episodes
• Parsha Review Podcast: https://parsha.transistor.fm/episodes
• Living Jewishly Podcast: https://jewishly.transistor.fm/episodes
• Thinking Talmudist Podcast: https://talmud.transistor.fm/episodes
• Unboxing Judaism Podcast: https://unboxing.transistor.fm/episodes
• Rabbi Aryeh Wolbe Podcast Collection: https://collection.transistor.fm/episodes

For a full listing of podcasts available by TORCH at http://podcast.torchweb.org
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Keywords:
#JewishInspiration, #Mussar, #MasterClass, #Speech, #Silence, #Mussar, #WiseVsFool, #IdleChatter, #SilenceVirtue

In this Mussar Masterclass (Day 115) from Orchos Tzaddikim's Gate of Silence, Rabbi Aryeh Wolbe explores when silence is not a virtue but harmful. While silence often protects from sin, one must speak up—gently and softly—to correct mockery of Torah/sages, rebuke transgressors, or prevent error, lest fools remain "wise in their own eyes." Harsh words destroy; soft answers turn away wrath.

The rabbi stresses extreme care with speech: never shame, embarrass, or pain others (a biblical prohibition, including online); avoid discussing sensitive blemishes (physical, family, past mistakes) in front of those affected; don't remind repentant people of old sins; let others finish known stories without interrupting; and never reopen resolved quarrels, as it reignites conflict or embarrassment.

True dignity lies in guarding others' feelings—silence preserves peace, but thoughtful, kind words build it. The class ends emphasizing maintaining human dignity in all interactions.

Recorded at TORCH Centre in the Levin Family Studios (B) to a live audience on July 1, 2025, in Houston, Texas.
Released as Podcast on January 9, 2026
_____________
This series on Orchos Tzadikim/Ways of the Righteous is produced in partnership with Hachzek.
Join the revolution of daily Mussar study at hachzek.com.
We are using the Treasure of Life edition of the Orchos Tzadikkim (Published by Feldheim)

_____________
Listen, Subscribe & Share:

• Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/jewish-inspiration-podcast-rabbi-aryeh-wolbe/id1476610783
• Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/4r0KfjMzmCNQbiNaZBCSU7) to stay inspired!

Share your questions at aw@torchweb.org or visit torchweb.org for more Torah content.
_____________

About the Host:
Rabbi Aryeh Wolbe, Director of TORCH in Houston, brings decades of Torah scholarship to guide listeners in applying Jewish wisdom to daily life. To directly send your questions, comments, and feedback, please email: awolbe@torchweb.org

_____________

Support Our Mission:
Our Mission is Connecting Jews & Judaism. Help us spread Judaism globally by sponsoring an episode at torchweb.org.
Your support makes a HUGE difference!
_____________
Listen More
Other podcasts by Rabbi Aryeh Wolbe:

• NEW!! Prayer Podcast: https://prayerpodcast.transistor.fm/episodes
• Jewish Inspiration Podcast: https://inspiration.transistor.fm/episodes
• Parsha Review Podcast: https://parsha.transistor.fm/episodes
• Living Jewishly Podcast: https://jewishly.transistor.fm/episodes
• Thinking Talmudist Podcast: https://talmud.transistor.fm/episodes
• Unboxing Judaism Podcast: https://unboxing.transistor.fm/episodes
• Rabbi Aryeh Wolbe Podcast Collection: https://collection.transistor.fm/episodes

For a full listing of podcasts available by TORCH at http://podcast.torchweb.org
_____________

Keywords:
#JewishInspiration, #Mussar, #MasterClass, #Speech, #Silence, #Mussar, #JewishEthics, #SoftRebuke, #ProtectDignity, #GentleSpeech

In this profound Mussar Masterclass (Day 114) on the Gate of Silence in Orchos Tzaddikim, Rabbi Aryeh Wolbe explores why silence is praised as the greatest trait—even for fools—citing Rabbi Shimon ben Gamliel ("nothing better than silence") and King Solomon ("even a fool appears wise when silent"). Silence protects from sin (insults, slander, flattery, falsehood), fosters listening, and prevents regret, as "words can kill from afar while a sword harms only nearby."

Examples include Aaron's silence after his sons' death (earning divine favor), responding to insults with quiet (forgiving all sins), and avoiding synagogue chatter to focus on prayer. Rabbi Wolbe contrasts harmful speech (mockery, gossip, online cruelty) with beneficial silence that reveals secrets and earns trust. He urges minimizing words—speaking half what we hear—while using speech wisely to uplift, teach Torah, and praise good deeds.

The episode concludes the Gate with a call to cultivate silence as a "universal remedy" for spiritual growth, humility, and avoiding transgression.

Recorded at TORCH Centre in the Levin Family Studios (B) to a live audience on June 16, 2025, in Houston, Texas.
Released as Podcast on January 4, 2026
_____________
This series on Orchos Tzadikim/Ways of the Righteous is produced in partnership with Hachzek.
Join the revolution of daily Mussar study at hachzek.com.
We are using the Treasure of Life edition of the Orchos Tzadikkim (Published by Feldheim)

_____________
Listen, Subscribe & Share:

• Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/jewish-inspiration-podcast-rabbi-aryeh-wolbe/id1476610783
• Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/4r0KfjMzmCNQbiNaZBCSU7) to stay inspired!

Share your questions at aw@torchweb.org or visit torchweb.org for more Torah content.
_____________

About the Host:
Rabbi Aryeh Wolbe, Director of TORCH in Houston, brings decades of Torah scholarship to guide listeners in applying Jewish wisdom to daily life. To directly send your questions, comments, and feedback, please email: awolbe@torchweb.org

_____________

Support Our Mission:
Our Mission is Connecting Jews & Judaism. Help us spread Judaism globally by sponsoring an episode at torchweb.org.
Your support makes a HUGE difference!
_____________
Listen More
Other podcasts by Rabbi Aryeh Wolbe:

• NEW!! Prayer Podcast: https://prayerpodcast.transistor.fm/episodes
• Jewish Inspiration Podcast: https://inspiration.transistor.fm/episodes
• Parsha Review Podcast: https://parsha.transistor.fm/episodes
• Living Jewishly Podcast: https://jewishly.transistor.fm/episodes
• Thinking Talmudist Podcast: https://talmud.transistor.fm/episodes
• Unboxing Judaism Podcast: https://unboxing.transistor.fm/episodes
• Rabbi Aryeh Wolbe Podcast Collection: https://collection.transistor.fm/episodes

For a full listing of podcasts available by TORCH at http://podcast.torchweb.org
_____________

Keywords:
#JewishInspiration, #Mussar, #MasterClass, #Speech, #Silence, #LashonHara, #KingSolomon, #Words