EXOD50 Another reason why lashon hara is responsible for our galus [exile-AJL] is that it causes the Jewish people to be subjugated with backbreaking labor, as we find in Parashas Shemos. On the pasuk: אָכֵ֖ן נֹודַ֥ע הַדָּבָֽר, Indeed, the matter has become known (Shemos 2:14), Rashi explains [that Moshe wondered which sin Bnei Israel had committed that made them deserve the punishment of backbreaking labor, but after he saw Jews speaking lashon hara, he understood why they deserve this treatment.] Additionally, we find this explicit statement in the Midrash Rabbah on Parashas Ki Seitzei: “Hashem said, ‘In this world, because there was lashon hara among you, I removed My Schechinah [Divine presence – AJL] from your midst, but in the future...’” (Devarim Rabbah 6:14). We find another clear reference to this idea in Parashas Vezos Haberachah. On the pasuk:... וַיְהִ֥י בִישֻׁר֖וּן מֶ֑לֶךְ בְּהִתְאַסֵּף֙ רָ֣אשֵׁי עָ֔ם יַ֖חַד שִׁבְטֵ֥י יִשְׂרָאֵֽל׃ And He was King over Yeshurun [Yisrael], when the leaders of the nation gathered, and the tribes of Israel were unified. (Devarim 33:5), Rashi (citing Sifri) explains: When is He King over Yeshurun? Only when the tribes of Israel are unified, and not when they are divided into disparate groups--which, we know, happens as a result of lashon hara. Besides, how is it possible for us to receive Hashem's blessings, for which we yearn, when we have accustomed ourselves to this sin? There is an explicit curse in the Torah--אָר֕וּר מַכֵּ֥ה רֵעֵ֖הוּ בַּסָּ֑תֶר, Cursed is one who strikes his fellow in secret (Devarim 27:24)--is encouraged by one who speaks lashon hara, as Rashi there explains. That is aside from the other curses one is liable to incur for speaking this way, as explained at the end of the opening sections.