PRACTICAL GUIDE FOR A “BEN TORAH” “A Ben Torah stands out because he behaves differently from others” (Rav Shach z ́l) “A true Ben Torah is never ashamed of being different since it is a great pride to be an example for others... but also a great responsibility”. THE PURPOSE OF THIS BOOK Rabbi Eliyahu Dob Lizrobitz of Kelem told that once in Vilna, Rabbi Yisrael MiSalanter talked about the importance of Shmirat Halashon , saying: “If only a Talmid Chacham could write a special book on the Halachot of Lashon Hara ”. Rabbi Yisrael Meir Hakohen (the Chofetz Chaim) was in that Derasha when he was still very young, and after hearing those words, he decided to publish his famous book, Chofetz Chaim .[1] - Even though for everyone it seems very clear what should be the correct behavior of a Ben Torah , external influences made us lower our guard and fail in many details that go against Hashem's will. That's why we saw the need to create clear instructions on what a Ben Torah should and shouldn't do, to reinforce what many of us already know. - A famous merchant and Talmid Chacham from Varsha came with the Chofetz Chaim to buy all his books, except for the Chofetz Chaim, which deals with Halachot Lashon Hara . Rabbi Yisrael Meir (the Chofetz Chaim) didn't understand why. The merchant replied, “I'm a businessman, and I have to talk to many people, so I can't follow all these Halachot, and therefore this book won't be useful to me”. When the Chofetz Chaim heard this, he said: “I already asked Rabbi Israel MiSalanter this question, that many people won't read my book, since people like to talk a lot. Then, Rabbi Israel MiSalanter explained “ You have to publish that book even if it's not successful, but if at least one person in the world takes chizuk about Lashon Hara, that'll be enough ”. - It's the same with this book. Maybe much of what is written- Is known, but if only one person (including me, the author) can take chizuk of it, it's enough. - We have to improve every day, as Rabbi Shimon bar Yochai said: “ I saw people constantly improving, but they were actually few people ”.[2] - The Gaon of Vilna said: “If a person doesn't grow day by day, it's automatically lowering his level”.[3] - May Hashem help us to always be Bene Torah and may we give Nachat Ruach to Bore Olam . [1] Tnuat Hamusar 4, 20. [2] Masechet Suca 45b. [3] Eben Shelema 4, 9.