Emunah Minute: Think Before You Speak, Look Before You Judge

In this Emunah Minute, tied to the Four Species of Succos, Rabbi Silber uncovers a deeper symbolism behind the aravos (willow branches) and hadassim (myrtle branches): the lips and the eyes. He teaches that speaking without first thinking often forces a second, clarifying sentence, an apology that could have been avoided, while looking at a person or situation only once or twice can lock us into a false narrative. Real growth, he says, comes from measuring our words before we speak and withholding judgment until we have looked closely, three times over.

• Think before you speak so you never need a second sentence to walk back what you said.
• The two willow branches (aravos) represent the lips: one for the words, the other for the apology that too often follows.
• The three myrtle branches (hadassim) represent the eyes: look again, then a third time, before forming a judgment.
• Every fresh look at a situation can change the narrative you have already built in your head.
• Measuring your words and withholding judgment bring more shalom into marriage, family, and daily life.