>>9389828
Rabbi Joshua's sayings and teachings in matters concerning the relationship between Jew and Jew, display his great love of mankind. "One who had not seen his friend for a month, must on seeing him again, say the blessing of Shehecheyanu; if, however, a whole year had passed since he saw him last, he should say the blessing Mechayey Hameisim." These blessings express gratitude to G‑d for the joy of seeing one's friend after such an interval.
Malicious gossip and slander were considered by him unforgivable sins. "If one speaks maliciously about his fellow-man, one sins against all the Five Books of Moses," he said. Slander and tale-bearing were like murder, in his eyes. "For two sins no forgiveness can be expected: murder and slander," was another of his sayings. To the same category of his teachings belongs his statement: "He, who suspects his innocent fellow-man will be punished in kind."
Not only did Rabbi Joshua ben Levi teach purity of speech, saying that "a person should never utter a single unclean word," but he taught that people should altogether speak less, and so they will more likely be able to avoid saying the wrong thing. "If a word is worth a seta (silver coin), then silence is worth two," he used to say.