There is No Justification for Speaking Loshan Hora

Chofetz Chaim Heritage Foundation

As with any Torah prohibition, one cannot justify speaking loshon hora on the basis of personal need or practicality. A Jew must be prepared to forego his comfort, social status, and even livelihood rather than transgress Torah Law. Needless to say, it is forbidden to speak loshon hora to gain popularity or win friendship. One must not succumb to social pressure and engage in gossip, in the same way that one would not compromise his kashrus standards due to social pressure. It is forbidden to comply with an employer's demand that one reveal information which is loshon hora -- even if such failure means the loss of one's job.

Similarly, the commandment to honor one's father and mother does not justify speaking loshon hora. One must respectfully refuse a parent's request that derogatory or harmful information be related.

Disciples of Aharon

The greatness of peace can be seen from the following incident recorded in the Talmud (Ta'anis 22a): R' Beroka of Bei Chozai would frequent the marketplace of Bei Lefet. The prophet Eliyahu often appeared to him. Once, R' Beroka said to Eliyahu: "Is there anyone in this marketplace who is destined for the World to Come?"

In the meantime, two other people entered the marketplace. Eliyahu said to R' Beroka, "These ... are destined for the World to Come." R' Beroka approached them and asked, "What do you do?" They replied, "We are comedians and we go to cheer up those who are depressed.' Additionally, whenever we see two people involved in a quarrel, we strive hard to make peace between them."

"Hillel said: 'Be among the disciples of Aharon, loving peace and pursuing peace, loving people and bringing them closer to Torah' " (Avos 1 :12). To be among the disciples of Aharon is to secure for oneself a place in the World to Come.

With regard to the other source of merit of the two men, one should note the importance of helping others to rid themselves of their anguish and worries. To do so is to fulfill the mitzvah, "You shall love your fellow as yourself" (Vayikra 19:18). Moreover, this brings immeasurable pleasure to Hashem, as it were.

We can liken this to a father whose son is experiencing worry and suffering. Surely the father will experience great relief and joy if someone offers his son moral support, and he overcomes his distress. Similarly, the Jewish people are considered Hashem's children.

Even When Attacked First

We have seen that one must be prepared to make sacrifices so that the laws of forbidden speech not be violated. In the world of business, when one's product is maligned by competitors, the natural and predictable reaction is to respond in kind. Such is not the way of the Torah. There is no basis for the notion that one who has been the object of loshon hora can respond with a counter-offensive of defamation.

The Metzora's Isolation

"He who slanders his neighbor in secret - him will I cut down" (Psalms 101:5). The Talmud (Arachin 15b) interprets the latter half of the verse as a reference to the terrible affliction of tzaraas.

The Talmudic sage Reish Lakish sees the term (one who is afflicted with tzarnas) as a contraction of one who spreads slander. "Whoever speaks loshon hora will have afflictions [of tzaruas] visited upon him" (ibid.). This indicates the extreme severity of this sin, for the Torah is unusually stringent with regard to the laws of tumah (ritual impurity) as pertaining to the metzora. In the Wilderness, three distinct boundaries existed within the Jews' encampment, each representing a different level of sanctity. From among the various types of ritually impure, only the metzora was forbidden from entering all three camps. As the Torah states: "He shall dwell in
isolation; his dwelling shall be outside the camp" (Vayikra 13:46).

"Why was the metzora singled out to live in isolation? Because [through his evil speech] he caused a husband to separate from his wife, and friends to become distant from one another" (Arachin 1 6b).

"R' Yehoshua teen Levi said: Why was the metzora singled out to bring two pigeons for his purification? Said the Holy One, Blessed is He: 'His sin was one of [sinful] chatter, therefore, let him bring an offering of chirping birds' " (ibid.).

Unto Thee shall the nations come from the ends of the earth, and shall say: 'Our fathers have inherited nought but lies, vanity and things wherein there is no profit.' Yirmiyah 16:19

Death and Life are in the power of the tongue. (Proverbs 18:21)

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