In his haskamah to the 1943 inaugural Hebrew volume of the sefer Chofetz Chaim al Hatorah, the great Rav Shlomo Heiman zt”l writes: “It seems to me that it would be worthwhile to translate this book into the vernacular so that more people can read it – just as the Chafetz Chaim zt”l himself would regularly translate many of his ma’amarim into the vernacular for the benefit of the public.”

With the appearance of a new, English translation of the classic Sefer Chafetz Chaim on Hilchos Lashon Hara, the English-speaking public will indeed be able to benefit from the all-important halachos of shemiras halashon, as expounded by our teacher, the revered Chofetz Chaim, Rav Yisrael Meir Hakohen Kagan zt”l.

One may ask, “Haven’t there been several translations of the Sefer Chofetz Chaim already?” The surprising but simple answer is, no, there have not been. While many worthwhile and beneficial works have been authored over the years that are adapted from, and based upon the teachings of the Chofetz Chaim, there has never been a concise and precise English translation that properly exposed the authentic words of the Sefer Chofetz Chaim to the English speaking communities, in a practical and user-friendly format. That is what makes this new English edition so unique. It is an exact translation of the original Sefer Chofetz Chaim. Every halachah has been recorded. Every example has been included. Every cry from the heart of the holy Chofetz Chaim still reverberates.

With the authentic translation of the original Sefer Chofetz Chaim now in print in a beautiful and easy-to-follow format, the message that the Chofetz Chaim strived to impart has become ever so clear to English speakers. Rabbanim can use this authoritative sefer to learn with their shul members this fundamental topic that is practical and relevant to everyone. Schools and seminaries can finally use the original text of the Sefer Chofetz Chaim in its precise translation to teach future generations what a Jew can say and what he can’t say.  Women can benefit from the words of the Chofetz Chaim, and infuse their children with the teachings of the leader of Klal Yisrael. Best of all, now there is a classic sefer that a husband and wife can learn together.  At last, all of Klal Yisrael has direct access to the words and teachings of this legendary sefer.

This Tuesday, September 1^st, a new cycle of daily study begins from the new English Sefer Chofetz Chaim. During the month of Elul, and prior to Rosh Hashanah, what better zechus can there be than to start a program of guarding one’s speech? By doing so, one can hope for a fulfillment of the famous verse, “Who wants life? Guard your tongue from evil…..”

The new English Chofetz Chaim is available in bookstores or here.