LEV981 Verbal abuse in general means [that it is forbidden] to speak in the presence of another in a manner that will embarrass him. [This prohibition] applies with even greater force if you say something directly to embarrass him or act in a manner that will cause him embarrassment.… They [our Sages] have already stated (Bava Metzia 58b): "Verbal abuse is worse than [even] monetary abuse [deceit], for regarding the former it states (Vayikra 25:17): 'And you shall be afraid of your God,' whereas regarding the latter [this verse] it does not say 'And you shall be afraid of your God.'" And of course this [sin] is compounded when it is done publicly, for we have explicitly been taught (Pirkei Avos 3:11): "He who publicly embarrasses another has no share in the world-to-come."