Introduction to Judaism/Lashon Hara

Overview edit

Lashon Harah (לשון הרע,gossip) is the act of speaking about someone behind their back. A common misconception about Lashon Harah is that it is when a person speaks wrongly about someone, but Lashon Harah can be speaking about someone behind their back in any way, even in a positive manner, as it is considered the speaker is drawing unwanted attention to their subject, and this attention even if positive in content could portray the subject - and the speaker - in a negative light.

What the Tanach says edit

Leviticus 19:16 edit

לא־תלך רכיל בעמיך לא תעמד על־דם רעך אני יהוה׃ edit

Thou shalt not go up and down as a talebearer among thy people; thou shalt not stand idly by the blood of thy neighbor: I am the Lord edit

What the Talmud says edit