EXOD750 It is forbidden by the Torah to believe lashon hara, whether it relates to bein adam l’Makom matters or bein adam l’chaveiro matters. This means that it is forbidden for us to believe in our hearts that the lashon hara we heard is true, because this will cause the subject of the lashon hara to be disgraced in our eyes. It is forbidden to believe the lashon hara even if one does not express his agreement with what was said. If one does indicate his agreement to the speaker’s negative remarks, his transgression is twofold, because then he is considered to have spoken and believed lashon hara. One who believes the lashon hara violates the negative commandment of לֹ֥א תִשָּׂ֖א שֵׁ֣מַע שָׁ֑וְא, “Do not bear a false report” (Shemos 23:1), for Chazal explained in Mechilta that this pasuk is an admonition against believing lashon hara, besides the other negative and positive commandments associated with believing lashon hora, as delineated in the opening sections. Furthermore, Chazal said that anyone who believes the lashon hara deserves to be thrown to the dogs, for the words: “Do not accept false tidings” (Shemos 23:1) immediately follow the words: לַכֶּ֖לֶב תַּשְׁלִכ֥וּן אֹתֹֽו, “To the dog you should throw it” (Shemos 22:30). Chazal also say that the punishment for one who believes the lashon hara is more severe than the punishment for one who speaks it.