Be a Woman of Your Word

The following is the introduction to the unit on the value of Speech.

Speech is so singularly important that the entire world is created through God’s words. In the story of Creation, God begins the process of creating the world by saying “Let there be light” and then uses speech each day to complete the Creation. When human beings are created on the sixth day of Creation, the great commentator Onkelos tells us that we humans are distinguished from all other creatures by our ability to speak. Just as God created the world through speech, we create our worlds through speech. But speech can also destroy. Proverbs (18:21) tells us: “Death and life are in the hands of the tongue.” We know firsthand how negative speech can cut down, humiliate and injure others.

The rabbis tell us that the Temple was destroyed because people spoke in destructive ways to each other. In our own lives, we see how a kind or thoughtful comment can lift spirits and create friendship and peace, or how a negative comment can lead to pain, hatred, and jealousy. As mothers, we can be mindful of the ability of our words to inspire, build and heal. In this session, we will discuss this important topic of the power of our words. We will gain skills and strategies to use our words to bring healing and vitality to the world around us.

The Year of Growth book enriches the Momentum year-long journey. Most Partner Organizations build on Year of Growth resources to deepen group learning. Mothers use the book to share learning with friends and family and to bring the learning back to their children.

Year of Growth is given in Israel to all Momentum trip participants in English, Russian, Spanish, or Hebrew as of 2020.