April 2021

Chofetz Chaim Daily 18 Iyar 9:3 If you know that A is plotting to hurt B, you must tell B provided fulfillment of aforementioned conditions. 9:4 you must be sure that by telling B, he’ll stay away from A, but if he’s type to make preemptive strike on A and make a bigger fight, then you cant tell him.

Chofetz Chaim Daily 19 Iyar 9:5,6 One may only tell R about a potentially bad partner if they are not yet partners. If they are already partners, it depends. If R is the type to immediately break the partnership, you may not tell him. If he will just protect himself from losses, you may.

Chofetz Chaim Daily 17 Iyar 9:1 If you know bad things about the person that A wants to enter partnership with, you must tell A, provided that you fulfill these conditions a. its definitely destructive to prospective partner b. must not exaggerate c. must intend ltoeles (be sure that A will actually take your advice) d. seek alternative methods first e. it cant cause the potential partner any additional loss.

Chofetz Chaim Daily 16 Iyar 8:4 Rechilus is asur even if the comment ploni made wasnt so bad, ex. When Sarah said, and my husband is old, Hashem didnt repeat that part to Avraham. 8:5 if someone tells you a secret, you may not repeat it, it can damage him and isnt derech tznius.

Chofetz Chaim Daily 15 Iyar 8:1 Asur to say Avak rechilus – negative implication (e.g. to tell R how ploni said lets not talk about what R did). 2) Praise that will cause hard feelings is also avak rechilus (e.g. to praise one before his spouse or partner about their charity giving; it will make the other think they’re wasting their money). 3) Asur to tell someone who refused you a favor, ploni told me that you did HIM similar favor because it will make him upset at ploni.

Chofetz Chaim Daily 13 Iyar 7:3 Asur to tell someone that ploni badmouthed him. Likewise asur to tell that to someone’s wife & relatives – they’ll get upset at ploni. 7:4 Much worse to say rechilus to a non-Jew about a Jew, because he may harm the Jew. Asur to denigrate a product or service that a Jew provided for a non-Jew.

Chofetz Chaim Daily 14 Iyar 7:5 Asur to believe rechilus regardless of who is telling it to you, even one’s spouse. The Chofetz Chaim gives some advice; showing your willingness to listen will bring many more such stories, and with them, much heartache.

Chofetz Chaim Daily 11 Iyar 7:1 Laws of rechilus apply to all Jews. No difference if subject is a man, woman or child. The Chofetz Chaim warns against telling parent A that child B hit his son because it can cause a big feud (unless all conditions have been met – discussed later).

Chofetz Chaim Daily 12 Iyar 7:2 Asur to say rechilus about an am haaretz. About a Talmid Chacham is much worse a)its probably false b)it violates the mitzvah to honor and respect him c)worse ramifications (i.e. can ruin his influence, create a big fight, he will lose his position).

Chofetz Chaim Daily 10 Iyar 6:8 Asur to believe rechilus even if it was a casual remark. See Hilchos LH Chap 7:10-14 for all laws of masiach lefi tumo. 6:9 Mutar to believe rechilus if you have circumstantial proof ONLY if a)there’s no way to favorably interpret the evidence b)proof is directly related to the story c) you witnessed it yourself d) there is a toeles e) you can’t share the rechilus with others & can’t harm ploni. 10)see sefer for practical application.

Chofetz Chaim Daily 9 Iyar 6:5 Mutar to believe rechilus told to you by a trustworthy person ONLY if the info is crucial & he saw it firsthand. 6:6 Trustworthy means someone who never lies, & you trust him like 2 witnesses for all matters. 6:7 Today, we can’t determine who is trustworthy, so you can’t believe it.

Chofetz Chaim Daily 8 Iyar 6:3 If somebody lost a government job or contract, asur to suspect that a Jew informed on you. Even if you hear that ploni informed on you, asur to believe it. Even if ploni is quiet, it doesn’t mean he agrees to accusations. 6:4 Asur to believe rechilus even if many people told it to you or its a popular rumor.

Chofetz Chaim Daily 6 Iyar 5:6 If one is sure that ploni spoke about him, but what he said can be understood in 2 ways, one is obligated to judge ploni favorably. 5:7 One who believed rechilus must remove the story & negative feelings from his heart. Assume whoever told you didn’t have the facts straight, and do teshuva to Hashem.

Chofetz Chaim Daily 7 Iyar 6:1 Asur to believe rechilus even if it was said in the presence of many people. 6:2 Asur to believe rechilus even if said in front of the subject. If he doesn’t protest, it doesn’t mean he agrees to the story. Anyway, why believe someone who’s saying useless info & committing many sins, to ruin the reputation of a good person?!