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The Chafetz Chaim lists 31 mitzvot which may be violated when a person speaks or listens to Lashon Hara. This is a staggering number. Even though one does not generally violate them all in one shot, it is important to remember how carelessness can lead one into deeper trouble.
The central prohibition against unethical speech is Leviticus 19:16 - "Lo telech rachil b'ameicha" -- do not go about as a talebearer among your people. [FYI: Rashi's commentary on this verse is a "classic." He discusses the origins of the word rachil (a roving merchant), and a few divergent ideas about the Hebrew language.]
This verse in Leviticus applies equally to Rechilut and Lashon Hara (abbr.: L"H). The Chafetz Chaim gives their exact definitions, but for clarity we should mention them here:
- Lashon Hara - any derogatory or damaging (physically, financially, socially, or stress-inducing) communication.
- Rechilut - any communication that generates animosity between people.
It is certainly good to be aware of the various mitzvot. However, the halachot discussed in the Chafetz Chaim are more specific, basically revolving around "Lo telech rachil b'ameicha," "B'tzedek tishpot et amiteicha," and "hocheiach tochiach et amiteicha." The Chafetz Chaim delineates different situations and conditions, and identifies when the speech is forbidden, permissible, and even desirable.
Daily Archives: July 15, 2011
A Lesson A Day – Children
SEFER CHOFETZ CHAIM Children It is a parent’s responsibility to sensitize his or her child to the evils of loshon hora and help the child to develop self-control in this area. At the same time, it is a parent’s responsibility … Continue reading
A Lesson A Day – Between Husband and Wife
SEFER CHOFETZ CHAIM Between Husband and Wife We have already seen that there are no grounds for sharing gossip with one’s spouse. To view withholding loshon hora from one’s spouse as a breach of harmony and trust is mistaken. (A … Continue reading
Think Positive
Shmiras Haloshon Yomi SEFER CHOFETZ CHAIM Laws of Loshon Hora 6:7-8 Think Positive In the course of a day, the average person hears hundreds of pieces of information. As each one is digested, we are left to decide whether or … Continue reading
Standing Firm
Shmiras Haloshon Yomi SEFER CHOFETZ CHAIM Laws of Loshon Hora 6:5-6 Standing Firm The Chofetz Chaim introduces us to a situation with which we are all familiar: You are sitting at someone’s Shabbos table or at a wedding, and several … Continue reading
A Lesson A Day – Irrelevant, But Permissible
SEFER CHOFETZ CHAIM Irrelevant, But Permissible In the cases discussed thus far, the determining factor in making it permissible to listen to negative speech was relevance. If the information is important, in a constructive sense, for the listener to hear, … Continue reading
SEFER CHOFETZ CHAIM 