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Lashon Hara: Difference between revisions
From Halachipedia
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==In front of 3 people== | ==In front of 3 people== | ||
# It’s forbidden to say Lashon Hara in front of one person and all the more so in front of many people. <Ref> Chafetz Chaim (Lashon Hara 2:1) </ref> However, it is permitted to make an ambiguous statement that can be understood in two ways (positively and negatively) about a Jew only if one says it in front of three people. The reasoning is that since it is said in front of 3 people the word will spread to the one being spoken about. If the speaker knows that what he says will be heard by the one he is speaking about, surely he will be careful not to say something that is recognizably derogatory about another. For example, to say | # It’s forbidden to say Lashon Hara in front of one person and all the more so in front of many people. <Ref> Chafetz Chaim (Lashon Hara 2:1) </ref> However, it is permitted to make an ambiguous statement that can be understood in two ways (positively and negatively) about a Jew only if one says it in front of three people. The reasoning is that since it is said in front of 3 people the word will spread to the one being spoken about. If the speaker knows that what he says will be heard by the one he is speaking about, surely he will be careful not to say something that is recognizably derogatory about another. For example, to say "fire can be found in a certain house": the comment may be construed positively (the family has many children and Hashem blessed them with wealth or that they are extremely hospitable), but it may also be construed as a criticism (i.e. in that house, they always eat gluttonously) . <Ref>Chafetz Chaim (Lashon Hara 2:2). This is his understanding of the Rashbam to Bava Basra </ref> | ||
# Some say that if someone said Lashon Hara before 3 people, even though he certainly violated Lashon Hara, the people who heard it may repeat it to others as long as one doesn’t intend to spread the word and publicize it. Some say it is forbidden except if it comes up tangentially in conversation. <Ref>Chafetz Chaim (Lashon Hara 2:3) </ref>. Only those who heard it directly can repeat it, however, one who heard from someone who heard it originally may not repeat it. <Ref>Chafetz Chaim (Lashon Hara 2:4) </ref> | # Some say that if someone said Lashon Hara before 3 people, even though he certainly violated Lashon Hara, the people who heard it may repeat it to others as long as one doesn’t intend to spread the word and publicize it. Some say it is forbidden except if it comes up tangentially in conversation. <Ref>Chafetz Chaim (Lashon Hara 2:3) </ref>. Only those who heard it directly can repeat it, however, one who heard from someone who heard it originally may not repeat it. <Ref>Chafetz Chaim (Lashon Hara 2:4) </ref> | ||
# If one of the 3 original people who heard it were yireh Hashem who are careful on Lashon Hara then it’s forbidden to repeat it. <Ref>Chafetz Chaim (Lashon Hara 2:5) </ref> | # If one of the 3 original people who heard it were yireh Hashem who are careful on Lashon Hara then it’s forbidden to repeat it. <Ref>Chafetz Chaim (Lashon Hara 2:5) </ref> | ||
