Yom Kippur is in the air. Just a little more time before we hear that haunting melody of Kol Nidrei the annulment of vows that ushers in the holiest of days. I once heard from a beloved rebbi that we begin Yom Kippur by expressing our understanding of the power of words because of the integral role prayer plays on this day. We will spend a good part of the next 25 hours using prayer to ask G-d for forgiveness and many other things articulating our hopes and dreams for ourselves and loved ones in the coming year.
But before we pour out our hearts to Hashem we first need to acknowledge by reciting Kol Nidrei that we were not always careful enough with our speech and often misused the power of words. A vow creates reality it has substance and halachic ramifications. Words matter.
The words we use affect others in profound ways; for example in the way we talk to our children: “It’s so good to see you.” “I’ve missed you.” “I love you.” “We’re so proud of you.” Words can gently build a child’s budding confidence and nourish her soul conveying the sentiments that she’s understood accepted and loved.
Yes words have power. They can create and build. But they can also damage and devastate. Words can slice through a fragile soul such as: “You’re so lazy.” “You’ll never amount to anything.” “All you give me is aggravation.” When said by a parent these are words which can haunt a person throughout life.
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