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Lashon Hara: Difference between revisions
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## There must be no other way in which to achieve whatever constructive purposes saying the Lashon Harah will accomplish. | ## There must be no other way in which to achieve whatever constructive purposes saying the Lashon Harah will accomplish. | ||
## Even if all other criteria are fulfilled, one still may not say Lashon Harah if the damage caused to the person discussed will be greater than can be justified by the shortcoming in question. | ## Even if all other criteria are fulfilled, one still may not say Lashon Harah if the damage caused to the person discussed will be greater than can be justified by the shortcoming in question. | ||
On the listener's part, he or she may only act protectively as a result of negative information heard. However, one may not accept the information heard as fact and consequently express disdain or animosity toward the subject, but only take precautionary measures as needed. | # On the listener's part, he or she may only act protectively as a result of negative information heard. However, one may not accept the information heard as fact and consequently express disdain or animosity toward the subject, but only take precautionary measures as needed. | ||
==Permitted forms of eliciting Lashon Harah== | ==Permitted forms of eliciting Lashon Harah== | ||
# If one is looking to engage another party – for a business partnership or family relationship, for example – and is at a stage where it is appropriate to research someone else's background, reputation, or character, he is permitted to inquire and obtain relevant information that might otherwise be considered Loshan Harah.<ref> Chofetz Chaim, Hilchot Lashon Harah 4:11</ref> | # If one is looking to engage another party – for a business partnership or family relationship, for example – and is at a stage where it is appropriate to research someone else's background, reputation, or character, he is permitted to inquire and obtain relevant information that might otherwise be considered Loshan Harah.<ref> Chofetz Chaim, Hilchot Lashon Harah 4:11</ref> | ||
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# Also, one may not talk about others in a positive way if doing so will cause the subject suffering or other problems – such as highlighting someone's extraordinary generosity, as the donor may then be overwhelmed from all the unsolicited attention.<ref>Chofetz Chaim, Hilchot Lashon Harah 9:1-3</ref> | # Also, one may not talk about others in a positive way if doing so will cause the subject suffering or other problems – such as highlighting someone's extraordinary generosity, as the donor may then be overwhelmed from all the unsolicited attention.<ref>Chofetz Chaim, Hilchot Lashon Harah 9:1-3</ref> | ||
== | ==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> | # 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> | ||
# It is only permitted to say negative information about a Jew in front of three people when the information can be understood in two ways, since it’s said in front of 3 people and word will spread to the one being spoken about, the speaker will be careful not to say bad about him. <Ref>Chafetz Chaim (Lashon Hara 2:2) </ref> | # It is only permitted to say negative information about a Jew in front of three people when the information can be understood in two ways, since it’s said in front of 3 people and word will spread to the one being spoken about, the speaker will be careful not to say bad about him. <Ref>Chafetz Chaim (Lashon Hara 2:2) </ref> | ||
