'Do Not Curse the Deaf': The Torah’s Surprising Law About Speech

The Torah forbids cursing any Jew — man or woman, young or old. This prohibition regardless of whether the curse is said directly to the person or behind their back. Even if the person is deaf and can’t hear what was said — and will never find out about it — the person who cursed them has violated a Torah commandment. In fact, even cursing oneself is forbidden.

This is not just a minor issue, even though many people may think, “What’s the big deal? It’s just words.” But words are not “just” hot air in Jewish belief.

Why Is Cursing Forbidden? A Deeper Look at Rambam’s Explanation

Maimonides (Rambam) explains this mitzvah as primarily directed at the protection of the person cursing, not the subject of the curse.

When a person feels wronged, he notes, there’s often a deep desire to “get back” at the person who caused the harm. For some people, it’s enough to shout or vent. For others, the only thing that satisfies them is cursing the offender or verbally tearing them down. Some go even further — seeking revenge through lawsuits, violence, or worse.

But sometimes, the offense is minor and yet the person wronged may believe that he’ll feel better if he just expresses his anger in some way, whether by yelling, insulting, or cursing the other person. He may believe this even if the other person isn’t present or able to hear the curse at all.

This is exactly what the Torah comes to prevent.

The Torah doesn’t only seek to protect the person being cursed. It also protects the soul of the person doing the cursing. We are forbidden to nurture vengeful, angry thoughts. Even if no one is harmed by a curse, this verbalization of anger speak is spiritually damaging.

This is why the Torah tells us: “Do not curse the deaf.” The example is intentional — someone who can’t hear is not going to be hurt by our words. But the speaker is still harming himself and violating a Torah command.

Words Are Powerful

The Sefer HaChinuch, a classic text explaining the reasoning behind the mitzvot, adds that just as we’re forbidden to harm others physically, we’re also forbidden to harm them with our words. The author quotes the Talmud: “There is a covenant with the lips” — which means that words carry real force. Our speech shapes our reality and the spiritual world around us.

Cursing One’s Parents Is Even More Severe

There is also a separate and even more serious prohibition against cursing one’s mother or father. Doing so violates both the general Torah commandment not to curse any Jew and a special Torah prohibition related to honoring parents.

If someone cursed a parent using God’s Name back when the Temple still stood, they would receive the same punishment as someone who committed idol worship or publicly desecrated Shabbat. That’s how seriously the Torah takes this sin.

Guarding Our Speech: A Lifelong Challenge

In a world where anger and frustration often spill out unchecked, the Torah holds us to a higher standard. It reminds us that words are not “just” hot air — they are powerful expressions of the soul, for better or worse. Even when spoken in private, even when no one hears, a curse leaves a mark. The mitzvah to guard our tongues is not only about protecting others — it’s about protecting ourselves, shaping our inner world, and training our hearts in self-restraint, dignity, and peace.