Lashon Hara

Revealing State Secrets: A Grave Sin, or a Holy Obligation?

A Good Time to Root Out Social Media Slander

When is Lashon Ha-ra permissible (or obligatory)?

May I Keep the Skeletons in the Closet?

What Personal Information Must I Divulge?

What information must we reveal about ourselves while arranging shidduchim for our children (or for ourselves)? And at what point must we disclose it?

The Halachos of Book, Wine, and Restaurant Reviews

Is a person allowed to write balanced reviews of books? May one write reviews of other products, such as wine or restaurants? a person asks my opinion of a book, a wine, or a restaurant, may I answer truthfully, even if my personal negative opinion may result in the person choosing another product?

Rewards Program

What did the Chafetz Chaim demand from the person who asked to join him in heaven? did he agree?

Driven to Talk

At the Shabbat Table

At the Shabbat Table

"Killing Me Softly With His Words"

Rav Kook on Rebuking Negative Speech - Ein Aya, Shabbat 2, 235

We all know that cussing, swearing & pornographic speech are prohibited just like gossip & Lashon HaRa, but Rav Kook explains why the Talmud doesn't allow us even to hear negative speech without rebuking. In addition to thought, speech, and action, Rav Kook adds that hearing is super-significant, e.g. one who deafens someone must pay damages not just for his ears, but for his entire body because learning, tradition, and kabbala are transmitted thru hearing. He adds that "if you're not part of the solution, you're part of the problem". Rebuke is not just for the sinner but for the "rebuker" himself (prevents being influenced), and for society and really all mankind.