- Torah and Jewish Thought
- Lashon Hara
Criticizing Israeli policy- is it allowed?
Question
I’m looking for a Jewish source on an ethical matter. I hope it’s appropriate for this site. Take an action that is on its own permitted and well intentioned, but you know some others will misinterpret you and cause harm. Example, you discuss Israeli politics online and one day you criticized an Israeli policy. It’s predictable that small number of people will misinterpret you and spread hatred of Jews likely contributing to a violent anti-Semitic event. The issue is how much responsibility you bear for another’s actions. Is there a source which discusses something like this which I can read?
Answer
Such questions are not only "ethical" but also purely halachic! The Chafetz Chaim writes explicitly that saying something which in unto itself may be fine, but it will lead others to say something degrading, is prohibited as "avak Lashon Harah" (Rambam, Hil. De'ot, 7, 4; Chafetz Chaim, Hil. Lashon Hara, 9, 1-2 and Be'er Mayaim Chaim ibid, 3) How much more so it's prohibited in the example which you gave, where it shows the Jewish people, and accordingly the Jewish God & religion, in a negative light in the eyes of the gentiles, where there is also an issue of the very severe Chilul Hashem- desecrating God's Name (e.g. Yechezkel 36, 20 and on).

Where does it say?
Various Rabbis | Tevet 24, 5773

Lashon Hara and Performance Appraisals
Rabbi Elchanan Lewis | 2 Elul 5764

loshon harah
Rabbi Yoel Lieberman | Nisan 9, 5775

Profanity
Rabbi Jonathan Blass | 1 Nisan 5766

Rabbi Ari Shvat
Lectures at various yeshivot, michlalot and midrashot. Has published many books & Torani articles and is in charge of Rav Kook’s archives.

Bircat baalat habayit
Shevat 7, 5771

Goyim at Shul/hashkafah of Shul
Adar II 1, 5771

Evils Spirits & Ghosts
Adar II 25, 5771

Ayin hara and Rambam
Tevet 28, 5771

Exercise on Shabbat
Rabbi Jonathan Blass | 9 Nisan 5763

Scooter on Shabbat
Rabbi Chaim Tabasky | 30 Cheshvan 5767

Shaitels for non-married women
Rabbi David Sperling | Tammuz 29, 5779

Mezzuzah for Non Jew
Rabbi David Sperling | Iyyar 18, 5773
Apartment Eviction
Rabbi Moshe Leib Halberstadt | Shevat 9, 5783

Follow-up question on names
Rabbi Yoel Lieberman | Shevat 9, 5783
