אות - רלז

The Rebbe said, “Do not let a word of wickedness leave your mouth.” Do not say that you will commit a sin or be wicked, even though you may be joking and have no intention of carrying out your words. The words themselves can do great damage and later compel you to fulfill them. This is true even if they are uttered only as a joke.

It is written that King Jehu said, “Ahab served the Ba'al a little; Jehu will serve it much” (II Kings 10:18) . These words were his downfall. When King Jehu said these words, he had absolutely no intention to commit idolatry. He only said this to trick the Ba'al worshippers, as explained in the next verse. Still, this was his downfall and he later committed idolatry.

The Talmud speaks about this and derives the lesson, “A covenant is made with the lips” ( Sanhedrin 102a; Moed Katan 18a) . Therefore, you should be very careful with what you say.