EXOD751 One is required generally to speak the truth. “Keep thee from a false matter.” (Exodus 23:7). It is forbidden to issue a false report about another. “If a man take a wife… and bring an evil name upon her… the elders shall take that man and chastise him.” Deuteronomy 22:14 It is also forbidden to receive a false report. Exodus 23:1. From the passage, “thou shalt keep thee from every evil thing” [Hebrew davar, which can also be read as ‘word’], the rabbis concluded that one is forbidden to speak ill of one’s fellow even if what is said is true. Deuteronomy 23:10