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I have learned in many places that one can commit a serious aveirah by saying Nivul Peh, and words that taint ones soul.
Does this prohibition mean saying the various 4 letter words that are unfortunately used out there too often in the streets?
Arent some 4 letter words “better” than others? Or are they all bad?
Or -does it mean saying other types of things?
We assume that Nivul Peh includes 4-letter words, but the Gemara (Shabbos 33a) might seem to imply that it only includes talking about inappropriate (Arayos) things.
Bad words, if directed at someone-can classify as verbal wrong doing, if the person does not want to addressed by that (correct me if i’m wrong-it could just be referring to calling someone by a nickname he does not like) (Bava Metzia 58B)
michaelc – the nickname thing happened in talmudic times, yes, then you lose your share in olam haba
Silly, why should someone say the 4 letter word. I never got it. maybe cuz it looks like the ‘thing’ to say.
o…and also in the times when the Shulchan Aruch was written, this is also quoted their
I have read where even using a word which is totally fine, but it rhymes with a bad word and is used in place of that bad word; that it is “as if” you used that bad word. Basically, keep far away from any words that would soil the place where your prayers pass through to Hashem.
Words that are considered curses in modern times are only because society defined them as such. When the Torah talks about someone cursing someone, it doesn’t mean saying a bad word. It means wishing evil on them, and actually saying the wish – “May Hashem cause this and this to happen to you.” That is a curse that the Torah was referring to.
Using bad words today probably falls under a chillul Hashem, because people will look down on Jews for it.
Nivul peh is not limited to the “seven dirty words”. As posted above, disparaging nicknames like “shorty” of “gordo” (“fatso” en espanol)are included. As everyone knows the Torah HaKedoshah goes out of it’s way to avoid, not only base language, but even language that may have unpleasant connotation, I.E. In Parshas Noach, the use of the circumlocution “aino tahara” instead of “tamei”. In view of this, one needs to make sure that his or her language is not only inoffensive but of refined character as well.
In Hebrew there is no such thing as true nivul peh. The only “dirty” words spoken in E”Y are actually either Arabic or some other language. Loshon Kodesh is truly kodesh.
Oomis: I don’t think we hold like that. In fact, two words in the Tochacha would seem to hold against that.
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