Practical jokes are only funny when they don’t hurt, harm or embarrass anyone. Make sure your jokes are truly funny and desired.

It is essential to choose our words carefully when speaking about another individual. One way to avoid improper speech and hurting others is to recognize the strong likelihood that the positive qualities outweigh any negative characteristics of an individual. To learn more about the laws of L’shon haRah, of speaking ill of others and the implications of doing so, enjoy this enlightening and intriguing analysis entitled “Some Important Lessons That We Learn from the Ancient Biblical Tzara’at,“ from Rabbi Buchwald’s Torah Message that was offered on the Torah portion of Tazria. Out of respect for the Sabbath, please consider printing it on Friday afternoon if you plan to read it on Shabbat.