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Lashon Hara: Difference between revisions
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→Listening to Lashon Harah
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# Defining what is considered negative can be very subjective. It is often relative or subject to judgment of the specific events in question. For example, saying one gives $500 a year to [[charity]] may be very positive or very negative, depending on the person being discussed.<ref> Chofetz Chaim, Hilchot Lashon Harah 4:3</ref> | # Defining what is considered negative can be very subjective. It is often relative or subject to judgment of the specific events in question. For example, saying one gives $500 a year to [[charity]] may be very positive or very negative, depending on the person being discussed.<ref> Chofetz Chaim, Hilchot Lashon Harah 4:3</ref> | ||
==Listening to Lashon Harah== | ==Listening to Lashon Harah== | ||
# There is a Biblical prohibition of believing any form of Lashon Harah, even if the subject of discussion is present and does not deny what's being said about him.<ref> Chofetz Chaim, Hilchot Lashon Harah 7:1-2 from gemara in Pesachim 87b and 118a. | # There is a Biblical prohibition of believing any form of Lashon Harah, even if the subject of discussion is present and does not deny what's being said about him.<ref> Chofetz Chaim, Hilchot Lashon Harah 7:1-2 from gemara in Pesachim 87b and 118a. See Rambam Sefer HaMitzvot 181 and Hilchot Sanhedrin 21:7, Sefer HaChinukh 74, Shaarei Teshuvah 303:211 </ref> | ||
# The listener to Lashon Hara is worse than the one who says it <ref> Kitzur S"A 30:2 </ref>. | |||
# Even if Lashon Harah is said for constructive purposes (and within the guidelines of what is allowed to be said), the listener may not wholeheartedly believe what is being said, but may only take precautions in dealing with the person about whom they have heard negative information. In addition, even if one has resolved not to believe Lashon Harah he might hear, it is still forbidden to continue listening to such conversation.<ref> Chofetz Chaim, Hilchot Lashon Harah 6:2. Rav Moshe Shternbuch Teshuvot Vihanhagot, 1:555 says that humans are incapable of such control and therefore explains that the prohibition of accepting lashon hara is only to have one's behavior toward the subject change as a consequence of having heard it. The mental acceptance however is permitted. </ref> | # Even if Lashon Harah is said for constructive purposes (and within the guidelines of what is allowed to be said), the listener may not wholeheartedly believe what is being said, but may only take precautions in dealing with the person about whom they have heard negative information. In addition, even if one has resolved not to believe Lashon Harah he might hear, it is still forbidden to continue listening to such conversation.<ref> Chofetz Chaim, Hilchot Lashon Harah 6:2. Rav Moshe Shternbuch Teshuvot Vihanhagot, 1:555 says that humans are incapable of such control and therefore explains that the prohibition of accepting lashon hara is only to have one's behavior toward the subject change as a consequence of having heard it. The mental acceptance however is permitted. </ref> | ||
==Permitted forms of saying Lashon Harah== | ==Permitted forms of saying Lashon Harah== | ||
# Saying Lashon Harah is only permitted when said for strictly constructive purposes. Even then, however, one is required to ensure what he is saying meets a criterion of seven conditions:<ref> Chofetz Chaim, Hilchot Lashon Harah 10:2</ref> | # Saying Lashon Harah is only permitted when said for strictly constructive purposes. Even then, however, one is required to ensure what he is saying meets a criterion of seven conditions:<ref> Chofetz Chaim, Hilchot Lashon Harah 10:2</ref> | ||
