GEN245 Someone who only speaks
loshon hora [evil speech] occasionally is guilty of a serious sin. But those who habitually gossip about the faults of others are guilty of a much graver sin, since they contemptuously and repeatedly disregard one of God’s commandments. Habitual offenders can often be found sitting around making disparaging remarks about others: “Reuven is a good-for-nothing, just the other day he…” “Don’t think that Leah is so special; she comes from a family that…” “Do you know what I just heard about Shimon?” Our Sages have labeled these people
baalai loshon hora (habitual speakers of
loshon hara). The Talmud
Erchin 15b states that someone who constantly speaks
loshon hara commits sins greater than idolatry, adultery, and murder. The enormity of constantly speaking evil of others is such that a
baal loshon hora loses his share in
olam haboh (the world to come) unless he does
tshuvah (repentance)
Jerusalem Talmud Pe’ah 1:1. The invention of the telephone has made it possible for someone to become a
baal loshon hara in the very comfort of his own home, without expending excessive energy. Beware of
loshon hora when speaking on the telephone. If the person with whom you are conversing insists on relating
loshon hora, you should rebuke him. If this is not possible, find an excuse to hang up – “Excuse me, something has just come up,” (the
loshon hara) – and discontinue the conversation. PGYT 31-32.
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