YeshivaThe torah world Gateway
Beit Midrash
- Jewish Laws and Thoughts
- Middot - Character Traits
- Lashon Hara
"Where have you been? I havenโt seen you since graduation!"
Menachem looked up in surprise. It didnโt take long to identify his seatmate. After all, it had only been two years since they had been in eighth grade together.
"Shmuel, howโs it going?" Menachem inquired eagerly. "Howโs your high school working out?"
"Good. I mean, it was good until this year," Shmuel responded. "I donโt know why they gave us this teacher. First of all, he thinks weโre still in kindergarten. The way he treats us, I half expect him to give us milk and cookies and have us lie down for nap time. But thatโs not the worst part! He doesnโt even know how to teach. He spends more time talking about his cats than teaching us anything, and then he gives us tests and expects us to know the answersโฆ"
The bus drove on, as Shmuel continued to bash, vilify and malign. As Menachem listened, he felt decidedly mixed feelings. On the one hand, he was glad that he didnโt have to deal with a teacher like this. On the other hand, it was too bad that he didnโt have some material of his own to share.
All too soon, the bus came to Menachemโs stop. He pushed the button, waved goodbye to Shmuel, and grabbed his bag. As Menachem walked along the sidewalk, he mulled over Shmuelโs story. Come to think of it, it would be really interesting to know the name of Shmuelโs teacher.
As soon as Menachem walked into his house, he picked up the phone, and called his old friend Yitzy. Yitzy had been in elementary school with Menachem and Shmuel, and Yitzy was the type to know important information.
"Just wondering, Yitzy," Menachem inquired. "Do you have any idea which teacher Shmuel has this year?"
"Sure. His name is Yossi Mizrachi," Yitzy responded.
"Whaaat?" stammered Shmuel. "Yossi Mizrachi is my fatherโs best friend! I canโt believe that Shmuel said all that lashon hara (gossip) about him! Why would he do that?!"
"Hold on, Menachem," Yitzy interjected. "Calm down. Why are you so sure that Shmuel is the one who spoke lashon hara? Maybe you did, just now, when you asked me what the teacherโs name is!"
Did Shmuel speak lashon hara? Did Menachem speak lashon hara?
Answer of Rabbi Avigdor Nebenzahl, shlita:
Both Shmuel and Menachem spoke lashon hara. Shmuel shouldnโt have spoken about his teacher, out of concern that Menachem might find out the identity of the teacher, in the future. (It is possible that, according to the letter of the law, it would have been permitted for Shmuel to talk about his teacher, if the chance of Menachem finding out the teacherโs name was very remote. However, why was it necessary to talk about such things!?) Menachem violated the prohibition against listening to lashon hara, retroactively, when he found out the name of the teacher. It is possible that he also violated lifnei iver lo titen michshol (lit. "do not place a stumbling block before the blind," which includes the prohibition against causing another to sin). This is because, by finding out the teacherโs name, he retroactively caused Shmuel to have spoken lashon hara.
In summary:
Both Shmuel and Menachem spoke lashon hara
Ein Aya "Killing Me Softly With His Words"
Rav Kook on Rebuking Negative Speech - Ein Aya, Shabbat 2, 235
Igrot Hareโaya Excitement over a Friendโs New Newspaper โ #319
Date and Place: 4 Menachem Av 5670 (1910), Rechovot
Chemdat Yamim Moreshet Shaul: The Goal of an Agricultural Yeshiva โ part I
Based on Siach Shaul, Pirkei Machshava VโHadracha p. 263 (address at the laying of the cornerstone of the Yeshiva Chaklaโit in Kfar Haroeh)
Rabbis in Midrash
Lessons
fast navigation
Shoftim TESHUVA IN COURT OF LAW?
Parshat Shoftim-Chodesh Elul
Why does parshat Shoftim always come out during Elul? This innovative and central explanation is an eye-opener regarding many aspects of Judaism.
The Month of Elul TESHUVA IS THE ANSWER
The month of Elul serves as a vital time for self-reflection and personal accountability to prepare for true repentance.
P'ninat Mishpat P'ninat Mishpat: Realtorโs Fee on Large Commercial Building โ part I
(based on ruling 85031 of the Eretz Hemdah-Gazit Rabbinical Courts)
(based on ruling 85031 of the Eretz Hemdah-Gazit Rabbinical Courts)
P'ninat Mishpat Complaints about Contractorโs Work โ part II
(based on ruling 83037.1 of the Eretz Hemdah-Gazit Rabbinical Courts)
(based on ruling 83037.1 of the Eretz Hemdah-Gazit Rabbinical Courts)
Chemdat Yamim Moreshet Shaul: The Goal of an Agricultural Yeshiva โ part I
Based on Siach Shaul, Pirkei Machshava VโHadracha p. 263 (address at the laying of the cornerstone of the Yeshiva Chaklaโit in Kfar Haroeh)
Based on Siach Shaul, Pirkei Machshava VโHadracha p. 263 (address at the laying of the cornerstone of the Yeshiva Chaklaโit in Kfar Haroeh)
Chemdat Yamim The Goal of an Agricultural Yeshiva โ part II
Based on Siach Shaul, Pirkei Machshava VโHadracha p. 263 (address at the cornerstone laying for the Yeshiva Chaklaโit in Kfar Haroeh โ 1938)
Based on Siach Shaul, Pirkei Machshava VโHadracha p. 263 (address at the cornerstone laying for the Yeshiva Chaklaโit in Kfar Haroeh โ 1938)
Re'e NEVER EXTREME EXCEPT ISRAEL
Parshat Re'eh
Judaism is against extremism, so how can we understand the seemingly extreme statements found in our sages in favor of living in the Land of Israel and against living in Chutz laAretz? The article deals with the seeming contradiction between the strength of Free-Will and the strength of being influenced by our surroundings.
Ekev DANCE FOR ISRAEL- FOR YOUR BENEFIT
Parshat Eikev
Description: The 7 Haftarot we read after Tisha B'Av ("Shiva D'Nichemta") surely get us excited that they're coming TRUE, and awaken us to yearn, dance & join the return to Zion! The short article also deals with the problems and solutions facing the American Jewish community as discussed at a recent panel, as well as the question why Jews come from America to Israel to help when we face problems, but Israelis don't come to aid Jews in America when they face anti-Semitism.
P'ninat Mishpat P'ninat Mishpat: Complaints about Contractorโs Work โ part II
(based on ruling 83037.1 of the Eretz Hemdah-Gazit Rabbinical Courts)
(based on ruling 83037.1 of the Eretz Hemdah-Gazit Rabbinical Courts)
Chemdat Yamim Moreshet Shaul: Twin Foundations
Based on Siach Shaul, Pirkei Machshava VโHadracha p. 690
Based on Siach Shaul, Pirkei Machshava VโHadracha p. 690
