In this Mussar Masterclass (Day 117) from Orchos Tzaddikim's Gate of Silence, Rabbi Aryeh Wolbe delves into the first of four categories that block the Divine Presence: leitzim (mockers). Mockery divides into five types, with the focus on two profoundly evil forms:

1. Slandering/mocking others for no gain—pure malice that steals dignity, lowers reputation, and breeds hatred, worse than theft (which at least seeks personal benefit).
2. Mocking the poor or less successful out of arrogance and haughtiness—despising Hashem's handiwork while falsely crediting one's wealth to personal brilliance ("my power and the might of my hand").

Such mockery stems from pride, ingratitude, and forgetting that Hashem creates both rich and poor. True humility recognizes personal flaws, refrains from judging others, and honors every person as divine creation. The episode powerfully warns that mocking others ultimately mocks the Creator Himself.

Recorded at TORCH Centre in the Levin Family Studios (B) to a live audience on July 1, 2025, in Houston, Texas.
Released as Podcast on January 13, 2026
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This series on Orchos Tzadikim/Ways of the Righteous is produced in partnership with Hachzek.
Join the revolution of daily Mussar study at hachzek.com.
We are using the Treasure of Life edition of the Orchos Tzadikkim (Published by Feldheim)

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Share your questions at aw@torchweb.org or visit torchweb.org for more Torah content.
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About the Host:
Rabbi Aryeh Wolbe, Director of TORCH in Houston, brings decades of Torah scholarship to guide listeners in applying Jewish wisdom to daily life. To directly send your questions, comments, and feedback, please email: awolbe@torchweb.org

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Listen More
Other podcasts by Rabbi Aryeh Wolbe:

• NEW!! Prayer Podcast: https://prayerpodcast.transistor.fm/episodes
• Jewish Inspiration Podcast: https://inspiration.transistor.fm/episodes
• Parsha Review Podcast: https://parsha.transistor.fm/episodes
• Living Jewishly Podcast: https://jewishly.transistor.fm/episodes
• Thinking Talmudist Podcast: https://talmud.transistor.fm/episodes
• Unboxing Judaism Podcast: https://unboxing.transistor.fm/episodes
• Rabbi Aryeh Wolbe Podcast Collection: https://collection.transistor.fm/episodes

For a full listing of podcasts available by TORCH at http://podcast.torchweb.org
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Keywords:
#JewishInspiration, #Mussar, #MasterClass, #Speech, #Silence, #Mockery, #Sin, #Dignity, #Humility