DEUT950 One who speaks or listens to lashon hara is also subject to the curse of אָר֕וּר מַשְׁגֶּ֥ה עִוֵּ֖ר בַּדָּ֑רֶךְ, “Cursed is one who misleads a blind man on the way” (Devarim 27:18). It is well known that the intent of this pasuk is to curse someone who places a stumbling block before another person, causing him to transgress. This course is similar to the prohibition of וְלִפְנֵ֣י עִוֵּ֔ר לֹ֥א תִתֵּ֖ן מִכְשֹׁ֑ל, “Before a blind person do not place a stumbling block” (Vayikra 19:14), regarding which we explained, in negative commandment 4, that one who speaks or listens to the lashon hara violates this prohibition.