EXOD748 Gossips maybe divided into six categories. The first is he who speaks evil of people and says, "This did they do," when in fact they did not do so, and at times he will slander and honorable an innocent person--in which case he is both a liar and a gossip. And we have been warned by the Torah not to accept gossip because it may be false, as it is said, "You shall not utter a false report" (this verse). And one who speaks gossip, will also be quick to accept gossip. And you should know that if one who hears gossip endorses what he has heard, then he is just as guilty as the gossiper. For all who hear that he agreed, will say, "Since he endorses it, it must be true." And even if he does not agree, but simply listens intently to the words, and appears to believe them, in the presence of people, he causes others to believe them too, and thus he helps the gossiper. For if he were to scold the gossiper, then he might restrain him from telling more, but since he pays attention and shows that he is interested, he causes him to speak even more gossip. And, behold, we have been warned by the verse, "You shall not utter a false report" that we should not believe a gossip story in our hearts, for this would leave a strong imprint in our thoughts that the words are true and cause us to despise the object of the gossip. (Sefer Orhot Zaddikim--The Ways of the Righteous). [Continued at [[LEV1004]] Leviticus 25:17 wrong HTBAJ 206].