Lashon hara

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Lashon hara (or Loshon hora) (Hebrew לשון הרע; "evil language") is the Jewish sin of gossip. Lashon hara generally refers to true statements, written or spoken, although untrue gossip is also prohibited. Thus, while truth is generally a defense against slander or libel, it is not a defense against lashon hara.

The main prohibition against lashon hara is derived from Leviticus 19:16 [1] : "Do not go as a gossiper amongst your people". The Talmud (tractate Erchin 15b) lists lashon hara as one of the causes of the Biblical malady of tzaraath. In Sotah 42a, the Talmud states that habitual speakers of lashon hara are not tolerated in God's presence. Similar strong denouncements can be found in various places in Jewish literature.[2]

There are times when a person is obligated to speak out, even though the information is disparaging. Specifically, if a person’s intent in sharing the negative information is for a to’elet, a positive, constructive, and beneficial purpose, the prohibition against lashon hara does not apply. Motzi shem ra, spouting lies and spreading disinformation, is always prohibited. And if the lashon hara serves as a warning against the possibility of future harm, such communication is not only permissible, but, under certain conditions it is compulsory.

The two major halakhic works on lashon hara are Chafetz Chayim and Shmirat HaLashon (guarding the tongue) both by Rabbi Yisrael Meir Kagan (1873). Chafetz Chaim lists 31 speech-related mitzvot mentioned in the Torah. The English book Guard Your Tongue anthologizes the teachings of these two books and provides many examples of prohibited speech.