"It is permitted to speak in the synagogue only with the Almighty": Who is the man behind the signs?

If you have recently entered a synagogue and encountered a sign saying "It is permitted to speak in the synagogue only with the Almighty," and other similar sentences, it is not a coincidence.

Behind these signs stands a dear Jew named Ron Shaharban from Petah Tikva, who has been engaged for years in strengthening the people of Israel and invests his own money, time, and energy for this purpose. He himself has been a baal teshuvah (returnee to faith) for 13 years, his profession is actually a security guard, but he dedicates every free moment of his time to the merit of the many (zikui harabim).

A miracle in the hospital

"It all started during the COVID-19 period," says Shaharban. "A relative of mine was hospitalized in serious condition, and we were all very worried about him. In those days, I went to one of the rabbis and asked him: 'In what can one be strengthened? What can be done in his merit?'. The rabbi replied to me: 'Take the book 'Natzor Leshoncha' ('Guard Your Tongue') by the Chofetz Chaim, and distribute the subject of guarding the tongue as much as possible'. From that moment, I took it upon myself as a project. I started personally reading two laws of guarding the tongue a day for forty days, and I also bought about 500 copies of 'Natzor Leshoncha'. I distributed them in various places and synagogues, and attached the well-known stickers and bracelets that the Halperin family has been distributing for years, saying 'Lashon Hara does not speak to me'.

Slowly, the condition of my relative began to stabilize. The doctors could not explain in any way how a person of his age and medical condition like his returned to robust health after being in such a difficult state.

For me, it was an open miracle," adds Shaharban. "I came to the conclusion that this is apparently a mission for me - to engage in the field as much as possible, to initiate conferences on the subject, and to strengthen in every possible way. Since then and until today, I am there. If you have heard of a conference to strengthen the guarding of the tongue, it is almost certain that I am one of its organizers. Distributing books on guarding the tongue? That is probably part of my activity. And I am no longer acting alone, because there are many good people who have joined me, and we do it together out of recognition of the enormous importance of the subject."

Reaching every place in the country

Shaharban, as mentioned, is actually a security guard in his day-to-day life. He works long hours, but this does not prevent him from organizing home circles, lectures, and various initiatives to strengthen the public, without any financial reward.

In recent times, he has added to the subject of guarding the tongue another stricture - maintaining the sanctity of the synagogue. Here too, a story preceded it: "I met a few months ago with a very dear man from Pardes Hanna, who spoke with me about the importance of the sanctity of the synagogue and greatly awakened me to it. I decided that I would also add this subject to my field of activity.

At the first stage, I bought books dealing with the importance of the subject. I distributed them among the synagogue gabbaim (sextons), and also asked them to speak about it and encourage the worshippers to be careful not to speak at all when they are in the synagogue, even if it is before the prayer or after it, and not during the prayer itself. Simply do not speak. Personally, I adopted the tip: to leave the synagogue quickly immediately after the prayer ends. This way I don't even have the evil inclination to speak - no one has time to approach me.

Since I started strengthening in this area, I hear amazing stories around me - about moving initiatives of synagogues where all the worshippers accepted this upon themselves for the sake of someone's recovery, or for the sake of the protection of the soldiers and the success of the people of Israel. People tell me that they are literally making a revolution. They used to hold their most important conversations inside the synagogue, and suddenly everything moves outside. There are synagogues that decided to create a separation between the prayer area and the place where kiddushim and the like are held, so that they would not speak in the synagogue itself.

This is my motto, the two subjects I deal with. Thank God, I have already reached every place in the country, and I will continue to reach. My aspiration is to organize such gatherings all over the Jewish world."

"More than anyone, I strengthen myself"

Shaharban began his journey of teshuvah 13 years ago, but the beginning was not easy. "I started returning to religion, but I still felt emptiness and did not taste enough true joy," he admits. "Until finally I decided to combine religious progress together with kindness and giving to others. From that moment, I felt that everything was changing. The more I engage in the merit of the many, the happier I become, and my attitude towards myself also improves. I simply become better."

Shaharban stops for a moment and adds sincerely: "The truth is that in the end, I strengthen myself more than anyone. When you engage in these things throughout the day, you yourself are not capable of speaking Lashon Hara or conducting a conversation during the time of prayer, because the laws become a part of you."

And he also has a tip for those who are interested in strengthening: "First of all, if you failed - do not fall into sadness. In addition, do not look at how many times you failed, but how many times you succeeded and avoided forbidden speech.

And most importantly - the Maran Chofetz Chaim teaches us that by guarding our lips, we save ourselves from many difficult things, such as in livelihood. The Chofetz Chaim writes that a person who speaks Lashon Hara, it undermines his soul and can lead to poverty. I believe that whoever does not despair, studies the books, and tries, will be privileged with the help of God to literally change his life, and will be privileged to great salvations and a life full of Siyata Dishmaya (Heavenly assistance)."