Photo Credit: Jewish Press
Sticks and stones can break my bones⦠while words can crush oneâs self-esteem and lead to depression, anxiety, and other mental and physical health challenges.
In truth, there shouldnât be a âcompetitionâ between the different ways that people can hurt others. Physical, sexual, emotional, and verbal abuse are all damaging and morally reprehensible. Yet, as the original âsticks and stonesâ adage hints at, many people underestimate the damage that can be inflicted with âjustâ words.
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Parshat Mishpatim, the Torah delineates dozens of interpersonal commandments, reflecting the vigilance we must show vis-Ã -vis other people and their property. While both are extremely important, a third group of laws â on emotional sensitivity to others âoften gets overlooked.