December 2022

Chofetz Chaim Daily 6 Teves 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 Teves 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?!

Chofetz Chaim Daily 4 Teves 5:3 If one has significant reason to suspect that ploni plans to hurt him, he may ask people to protect himself. However, he must specify why asking. 5:4 See Hilchos LH chapter 6 for further details. When listening to info, one can’t BELIEVE anything, and ploni still has chezkas kashrus. Asur to harm ploni, harbor negative feelings, or free oneself of financial obligations to him. One must also benefit him like any other Jew.

Chofetz Chaim Daily 5 Teves 5:5 The Chofetz Chaim bemoans the widespread practice of people asking others what ploni said about him & ploni’s opinion of him. It is destructive behavior and transgresses many negative commandments.

Chofetz Chaim Daily 3 Teves 5:1 Asur to believe rechilus (i.e. harbor negative feelings toward ploni who allegedly damaged you.) 5:2 Asur to listen to rechilus. If the info being said is crucial for one’s safety, he may not believe, but may take the necessary precautions to protect himself.

Chofetz Chaim Daily 1 Teves

3:1 Asur to say rechilus even if 100 percent true, even not in front of ploni that youre talking about. Even if you know that you would say it in front of him. It can actually be a bigger sin to say it in front of ploni, because the listener will definitely believe it since you had the nerve to say it, and will also now hate ploni.
3:2 Reuven may not say to Shimon, I heard you spoke rechilus about me. This would be rechilus about Levi who told him.
3:3 One may not tell anyone what Reuven did to Shimon. Besides for being LH, the news may spread and Shimon will find out. Asur to tell someone that ploni badmouthed his children/relatives because he will dislike ploni.
3:4 To tell someone that Reuven badmouthed Shimon so that he will be able to admonish Reuven, see Hilchos LH 10:6.

Chofetz Chaim Daily 2 Teves
4:1 Rechilus is asur even if not supplying any new info. Rechilus is also showing one that what ploni did to him is in fact bad.
4:2 If Reuven badmouthed Shimon in front of 2 people, and one told Shimon, the second may still not tell Shimon. It will increase negative feelings.
4:3 Teshuva for rechilus includes repentance to Hashem and appeasing aggrieved parties.

Chofetz Chaim Daily 29 Kislev 2:3 If someone badmouthed ploni in public, asur to tell others. (You can’t assume everyone knows because of chavra chavra [your friend has a friend…]). For sure do not tell ploni himself. 2:4 If one considered breaking off a partnership or shidduch but did not, asur to tell the partner or shidduch – even if many people knew of the plans.

Chofetz Chaim Daily 30 Kislev 3:1 Asur to say rechilus even if 100 percent true, even not in front of ploni that you’re talking about. Even if you know that you would say it in front of him. It can actually be a bigger sin to say it in front of ploni, because the listener will definitely believe it since you had the nerve to say it, and will also now hate ploni.

Chofetz Chaim Daily 28 Kislev 2:1 Asur to say rechilus to an individual, and worse in public. 2:2 AVAK rechilus is also asur. When talking about ploni to either an overly sensitive person or someone who doesn’t like him, one must not say anything that they’ll misunderstand as an offensive comment.

Chofetz Chaim Daily 26 Kislev 1:8 If you’re asked to say rechilus, and the only way out is to lie, then you should lie! (dont swear). 1:9 Asur to relate a nameless story if the listener will be able to discern who it was. Likewise, if he knew the story but not the name, asur to reveal.  

Chofetz Chaim Daily 27 Kislev 1:10 Asur, even without details, to hint towards an old fight. 1:11 Asur to write rechilus. Asur to tell a store owner that ploni badmouthed his merchandise.

Chofetz Chaim Daily 24 Kislev 1:4 Rechilus is asur even if it’s 100% true. Asur even if they already hated each other. It is a terrible sin if you create the hard feelings. 1:5 Asur even if you’re pressured to tell the info, or even if it’s your parent or Rabbi asking.

Chofetz Chaim Daily 25 Kislev 1:6 Asur to say rechilus even if not saying will cause a large financial loss, like losing one’s job. 1:7 Likewise asur even if it will cause insult and embarrassment. The great reward for guarding one’s speech is beyond human comprehension!

Chofetz Chaim Daily 22 Kislev 10:17 If someone suspects you of wrongdoing, asur to say who did it. Say I didn’t do it (except when you must say – 7 conditions have been met). It’s befitting of a special person to accept the blame to save the perpetrator from shame. This concludes Part 1 Hilchos LH. Part 2 Hilchos Rechilus.

Chofetz Chaim Daily 23 Kislev Rechilus 1:1 One who says rechilus transgresses: Lo selech rachil b’amecha, and many other positive & negative commandments. 1:2 Rechilus is: Telling someone that ploni wronged or said bad about him. Asur even if ploni won’t deny it. 1:3 Rechilus is asur even if you’re not intending to create hard feelings. Asur even if you think ploni was right.  

Chofetz Chaim Daily 19 Kislev 10:11 If you yourself was the one that was hurt, it is asur to spread because intention isn’t l’toeles. 10:12 It’s a bigger sin to spread if he didn’t even hurt you, just didn’t do you a favor that you expected.

Chofetz Chaim Daily 20 Kislev 10:13 You may tell others about the loss ploni caused, IF they can help you rectify it. Likewise, you may relate how ploni insulted you etc. if will help prevent it from happening again. 10:14 However one must be careful not to violate any of the 7 conditions.

Chofetz Chaim Daily 21 Kislev 10:15 One must prepare what he’s going to say in advance, to ensure it meets the 7 conditions. In the heat of the moment he may say too much. 10:16 If you heard that someone said LH about you, asur to say LH about him, because 1)Maybe it’s false 2)invalid toeles.