July 2019

Chofetz Chaim Daily 27 Taamuz 7:1 Asur to believe LH even if the story was said publicly. 7: 2 Asur to believe LH even if the subject was present & didn’t protest. Asur to believe LH, if speaker just SAYS he would say it in subject’s presence.

Chofetz Chaim Daily 26 Taamuz 6:11 Heter to suspect is only to protect yourself. It is absolutely forbidden to mistreat, release oneself from obligations to, or hate that person. 6:12 Tshuva from believing LH includes removing the story and any ill will from your heart.

Chofetz Chaim Daily 24 Taamuz 6:7 The sin of LH is commonly caused by not judging favorably. 6:8 It is much worse if the subject is a Talmid Chacham, whom one must try harder to judge favorably.

Chofetz Chaim Daily 25 Taamuz 6:9 Anything that is asur for someone to SAY, is also LH to BELIEVE. 6:10 One is allowed to SUSPECT that a story is true, IF there is toeles e.g. to protect himself etc. However one must still treat this suspect as a regular Jew for all matters.

Chofetz Chaim Daily 22 Taamuz 6:3 If someone wants to tell you LH, ask him if there will be toeles for you to listen. Otherwise asur. 6:4 Mitzva to listen to LH IF: 1) Letting speaker finish his story will allow you to show listeners its false. 2) Listening to angry speaker will vent his anger and prevent from spreading further.

Chofetz Chaim Daily 23 Taamuz 6:5 If one is in a group of people saying LH who will not accept rebuke & he can’t leave or put his fingers in his ears, then he MUST 1)Resolve not to believe 2)Be unhappy to listen 3)Not show consent. 6:6 It is a sin if he was aware they were going to speak LH before he joined.

Chofetz Chaim Daily 21 Taamuz 6:1 Asur to BELIEVE LH, as it says Lo sisa sheima shav. Believing is worse than speaking. 6:2 Asur to LISTEN to LH. Mutar if there is a valid toeles, for example you’ll be able to protect yourself/others.

Chofetz Chaim Daily 20 Taamuz 5:7 Asur to degrade someone’s belongings i.e. to say ploni’s store sells bad quality items. 5:8 It is worse when two people say LH, because it is more damaging.

Chofetz Chaim Daily 19 Taamuz 5:5 Saying that someone is weak can damage him for shidduchim or getting a job. Asur to say that ploni isn’t as rich as thought to be, if it will make it hard for him to get a loan. 5:6 RULE: It depends who you are talking about. A positive for one person may be very negative for another.

Chofetz Chaim Daily 17 Taamuz 4:12 To repent for LH, one must ask subject mechila (only if he was hurt; socially, emotionally, etc.) It is impossible for a habitual LH speaker to ask mechila from everyone he pained. 5:1 If you see someone doing sins bein adam l’chaveiro, (ex. not lending money that he could afford) you must not tell anyone. Editor – However one must still take the appropriate steps of rebuke, etc with the seven conditions as will be elaborated upon in Chapter 10. This is especially important if one is found to be hurting another.

Chofetz Chaim Daily 18 Taamuz 5:2 Asur to tell people that ploni is weak/not smart etc. because this will damage him socially & financially. 5:3 See sefer for more details. 5:4 Worse to say that ploni isn’t such a scholar; e.g. if he’s a Rabbi, it will damage his spiritual influence and livelihood. If he’s a newlywed, it will embarrass him and his new family.

Chofetz Chaim Daily 15 Taamuz 4:9 If you see someone has bad middos, you may not badmouth him because he probably doesn’t realize the severity of his actions. Instead, influence him to change. 4:10 You may tell your children or students to stay away from a person with bad middos. However, you must explain why you are telling them.

Chofetz Chaim Daily 16 Taamuz 4:11 One seeking info about a potential shidduch/partner may ask others, and they may say necessary info (See rechilus Chap. 9 for more detail). However you must explain why you are asking so it will be with proper intention. One MAY NOT ask those who do not like the subject.

Chofetz Chaim Daily 14 Taamuz
4:7 One may publicly degrade the actions of someone who has no fear of G-d and clearly doesn’t regret his sins. He may be shamed until he mends bad ways. Do not judge him favorably.

*According to contemporary Halachic authorities, even if the subject is a sinner, they will most likely be classified as a “Tinok Shenishba” e.g. someone who didn’t receive a proper Jewish education, or did, but has unfortunately had challenging life experiences, and we have to deal with him like with any other Jew. Therefore one may not defame them no matter what the circumstances. As with all Lashon HaRa questions, in case of doubt one should seek the advice of a Rav.

4:8 If one does not heed command of Beis Din (w/o valid excuse), publicly degrade him and record his actions in public records.