A Salty Conversation

Rabbi.Chofetz Chayim (His real name was Rabbi. Yisrael Meir Kagan) and another Rabbi were eating in an inn renowned for its standards of kashrus (Kosher foods are those that conform to Jewish law). The innkeeper, realizing that he had two illustrious guests, did all he could to serve them the finest meal. As the dessert was being brought out, the innkeeper asked them, “How did you like the meal?” Rabbi. Chofetz Chaim complimented the innkeeper and his cook, and thanked them warmly. The other Rabbi however mentioned that the soup could have used a little more salt. Rabbi. Chofetz Chaim turned white. “My whole life I have managed to avoid hearing Loshon Hara (bad speech) and here you have just spoken Loshon Hara.”

“What are you talking about?”, asked the other rabbi skeptically.

Rabbi. Chofetz Chaim described the scene that must be going on in the kitchen right now. “The cook is probably a poor widow and the innkeeper is chastising her for not putting salt in the soup and, thereby, ruining the meal of his illustrious guests. He would be screaming at her and ready to fire her over the incident. Besides, you have also violated six injunctions:

1) You spoke Loshon Hara (Bad Talk).

2) You caused others to hear it.

3) You caused the owner to repeat it.

4) You caused the cook to lie, saying that she did put salt in the soup in order to save face.

5) The owner caused pain to a widow.

6) Above all, You caused an argument.”

The other Rabbi smiled and said: “Surely you are exaggerating.” “Let’s go see”, said Rabbi.Chofetz Chaim.

They went together into the kitchen to find the innkeeper berating the poor cook for her stupid mistake. The second Rabbi, realizing his blunder, begged the innkeeper to keep on the cook assuring him that the soup was quite good, and the rest of the meal extraordinary, and promised that he would always stop to eat at this inn on all his journeys.