ב"ה, כ"ד אלול, תשט"ו
ברוקלין.
שלום וברכה!
... מש"כ בנוגע למהות עצמו והאריך בזה, כבר ידוע פתגם כ"ק מו"ח אדמו"ר אשר איסור לשה"ר הוא גם שלא לדבר לשה"ר ע"ע. וראה רמב"ם הל' דעות פ"ז ה"ב. ומה שהעיר מכתובות יז, א[1] - משם תשובתו, שהרי ב"ש במקום ב"ה אינה משנה. וקושית ב"ש מתורצת ומובנת עפמש"כ בלקו"ת שה"ש ד"ה ת"ר כיצד מרקדין.
With Hashem's Help, 24th of Elul, 5715
Brooklyn
Shalom U'vracha (Peace and Blessings)!
... Regarding what you wrote about your own self and elaborated on this matter, it is well known the saying of my father-in-law, the Rebbe, that the prohibition of lashon hara (negative speech) also applies to speaking negatively about oneself. See Rambam, Hilchot De'ot, Chapter 7, Halacha 2. As for the point you raised from Ketubot 17a[1]—the answer is found there itself, as the view of Beit Shammai in opposition to Beit Hillel is not considered binding. The question posed by Beit Shammai is explained and resolved according to what is written in Likkutei Torah, Shir HaShirim, in the discourse beginning "Tanu Rabbanan: How Do We Dance?"
- The Gemara discusses that if the bride was lame or blind, they still say, "A beautiful and graceful bride," despite the Torah's directive (Shemot 23:7) "Distance yourself from a false matter."
- 1 הרי שהיתה חיגרת או סומא אומרי' לה כלה נאה וחסודה והתורה אמרה (שמות כג, ז) מדבר שקר תרחק
B"H, 24th of Elul, 5715.
Brooklyn.
Shalom u'Vrachah!
... Regarding what you wrote about your own self and elaborated on this matter, it is already well known the saying of my father-in-law, the Rebbe, that the prohibition of lashon hara (negative speech) also applies to speaking negatively about oneself. See Rambam, Hilchot De'ot, Chapter 7, Halacha 2. As for what you raised from Ketubot 17a[1]—the answer is found there itself: since Beit Shammai's view in opposition to Beit Hillel is not considered binding. The question posed by Beit Shammai is explained and resolved according to what is written in Likkutei Torah on Shir HaShirim in the discourse beginning "Tanu Rabbanan: How Do We Dance?"
Summary
The Rebbe teaches that one must avoid negative speech even about oneself and clarifies halachic sources regarding truthfulness and kindness in speech. Self-examination should be balanced with compassion and adherence to Torah principles.