The Command to Speak
The portion of Emor begins with the directive, “Speak to the priests.” Yet, the tradition highlights the word Emor—“Speak”—as a command for every Jew. This teaches that we are all instructed to speak, and not merely to speak Torah, but to speak well of others.
The Divine Quality of Speech
The Midrash contrasts human and divine speech: a mortal king may promise and fail, but G-d’s words bring reality into being. The human being, created in G-d’s image, resembles the Creator precisely in this—speech as a creative force. Our words carry spiritual potency and the capacity to influence what is hidden and latent.
The Impact of Positive Speech
Speech makes the hidden visible. When we speak ill of others, we expose flaws that might otherwise remain dormant. But when we speak positively, we awaken goodness. We reveal what was concealed and encourage it to grow stronger. In the language of the Rebbe: we bring that goodness into actual expression.
A Scientific Echo: Masaru Emoto’s Research
Dr. Masaru Emoto, a Japanese researcher, conducted experiments suggesting that words and intentions could influence the crystalline structure of water. According to his findings, water exposed to positive, affirming speech formed beautifully symmetrical patterns when frozen, while negative speech resulted in chaotic, fragmented structures. His visual documentation inspired many to reflect on the subtle power of human expression. When one considers that the human body is composed mostly of water, the symbolic resonance of his research becomes all the more striking. This evidence harmonizes with the Torah’s message: our words—especially when positive—carry the capacity to shape and uplift the world around us.