Evil speech — lashon hara, in Hebrew — refers to the prohibition against speech that is harmful to another person — even though it may be true. The parameters, laws, and spiritual implications of lashon hara are discussed throughout the Jewish textual tradition and are a focus of Rabbi Yisrael Meir Kagan's Chafetz Chaim, the first work to organize the laws of proper speech comprehensively.
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The Spiritual Dangers of Malicious SpeechTALMUD
The Spiritual Dangers of Malicious Speech
TALMUD
Speaking maliciously about others is considered so severe that it is likened to denying God and can lead to severe spiritual consequences. The talmudic tractate Arakhin discusses the theological implications and severe consequences of lashon hara (malicious speech).
The Ethics of SpeechHALAKHAH
The Ethics of Speech
HALAKHAH
Speaking negatively about others, even if true, is considered lashon hara and is a serious ethical violation in Judaism. The Chafetz Chaim by Rabbi Yisrael Meir Kagan in the late 19th century, systematically organizes the laws of proper speech, drawing from Torah, Talmud, and early commentators.
The Reciprocal Harm of Evil SpeechCHASIDUT
The Reciprocal Harm of Evil Speech
CHASIDUT
The Ba'al Shem Tov, regarded as the founder of Chasidut, teaches that a person about whom lashon hara (evil speech) is spoken is also responsible for the harm caused, due to their own actions creating a spiritual impurity. This Chasidic teaching from the Ba'al Shem Tov explores the mystical and reciprocal consequences of evil speech.
The TalebearerCOMMENTARY
The Talebearer
COMMENTARY
The Torah uses specific language to describe slander, highlighting its severity and the need to guard one's speech. Rashi delves into the term 'רכיל' (talebearing) in his commentary on Leviticus, exploring its connections to spying and slander.
The Consequences of SlanderTALMUD
The Consequences of Slander
TALMUD
The severe consequences of lashon hara are illustrated through the punishment of the generation that wandered in the wilderness, particularly the sin of the spies and the punishment of Miriam and Aaron for speaking against Moses. Avot DeRabbi Natan, a companion volume to Pirkei Avot, emphasizes the importance of guarding one's speech and the repercussions of negative speech.
The Nuances of Lashon HaraJEWISH THOUGHT
The Nuances of Lashon Hara
JEWISH THOUGHT
The Maharal of Prague offers a nuanced perspective on lashon hara, quoting a talmudic debate about whether speaking it in the presence of the subject carries the same prohibition. In his work Netivot Olam, the Maharal of Prague explores the parameters of lashon hara, emphasizing the importance of context and the opportunity for defense.
The Serpent's PunishmentMIDRASH
The Serpent's Punishment
MIDRASH
The narrative of the serpent in the Garden of Eden highlights the impact of slander and its repercussions. The ancient midrash, Bereshit Rabbah, delves into the story of the serpent and its punishment, linking it to themes of slander and divine justice.
Miriam's PunishmentCOMMENTARY
Miriam's Punishment
COMMENTARY
Even a well-intentioned, private remark can have severe consequences, as illustrated by Miriam's punishment for speaking lashon hara. Rabbi Jonathan Sacks delves into the story of Miriam in the book of Numbers, exploring the broader theme of sibling rivalry and the importance of remembering this incident as a warning against evil speech.
Joseph's SlanderMIDRASH
Joseph's Slander
MIDRASH
The narrative of Joseph illustrates the severe consequences of lashon hara, showing how his own slander led to his suffering in Egypt. The Midrash Tanchuma Buber, a medieval midrash, delves into the moral and ethical teachings of Judaism regarding the importance of guarding one's speech.
The Gravity of Evil SpeechMUSAR
The Gravity of Evil Speech
MUSAR
Lashon hara, or evil speech, is considered as severe as idolatry, sexual immorality, and murder, yet there are circumstances where revealing harmful information is necessary to prevent damage to another person. The 19th-century Musar text, Pele Yoetz, by Rabbi Eliezer Papo, explains the ethical implications and severe consequences of lashon hara, emphasizing the balance between avoiding evil speech and the obligation to prevent harm.
The Snake and Lashon HaraKABBALAH
The Snake and Lashon Hara
KABBALAH
The Zohar reveals how evil speech, or lashon hara, can trigger spiritual forces with cosmic consequences. This foundational Kabbalistic text connects lashon hara to the archetypal snake, illustrating the profound mystical impact of our words.