SEFER CHOFETZ CHAIM — Hilchos Lashon Hara 10:11-12
One of the seven rules that permit lashon hara l’to’eles is that the speaker’s intentions be purely l’shem Shamayim (for the sake of Heaven), to right a wrong or to teach others not to learn from the person’s sinful ways. Based on this rule, we can derive the following:
Yonason entered into a business deal with Mr. Stockman and had a very bad experience. Yonason is certain that Mr. Stockman cheated him out of thousands of dollars. He wants to publicize what Mr. Stockman did, so that others will realize how shameful such behavior is. Yonason also hopes that when Mr. Stockman realizes that he is being scorned by the community, he will change his ways.
The Chofetz Chaim says that it is virtually impossible for Yonason’s intentions to be entirely l’shem Shamayim. Though he may think he has only the purest intentions, there is no doubt that if he does publicize what Mr. Stockman did to him, it is because he is angry and bitter towards him. That being the case, he is not permitted to spread such news. There is one situation which the Chofetz Chaim does not mention here: Yonason would be correct to warn someone considering entering a business deal with Mr. Stockman, provided that the seven rules of to’eles are met.
The following scenario is sad, but unfortunately not far-fetched:
Mr. Dinstein is marrying off a child and needs to borrow a large sum of money. He approaches Mr. Brigsman, one of the wealthiest men in the community, and requests a $10,000 loan. Mr. Brigsman refuses to lend him anything.
Mr. Dinstein is furious. He knows that Mr. Brigsman is a millionaire, and has extended loans to others. That night, between Minchah and Maariv, he tells his friends all about “that stingy miser, Brigsman.”
There is no question that Mr. Dinstein has spoken lashon hara. The Chofetz Chaim says the following:
To our misfortune, many make this mistake, as we see before our eyes. If someone feels that a certain community has not treated him in a friendly manner, then, when he visits another city, he disparages the leaders of that community for not helping him. Certainly, if he disparages the entire community, he is guilty of a grave sin. For the sin of lashon hara, even when the facts are true, is transgressed even when one speaks against an individual — and all the more so when he speaks against an entire city of Jews who hold steadfast in their faith in Hashem. Surely, this is a terrible sin.
It is interesting that the Chofetz Chaim refers to those who are being slandered as “those who hold steadfast in their faith in Hashem.” The person who spoke against the community is lacking in faith in Hashem. If his emunah would be strong, he would realize that everything in this world, including aggravation and satisfaction, are decreed from Above. If this man arrived in a city expecting assistance and did not receive it, his reaction should have been “Gam zu l’tovah, this too is for the good.” With this attitude, he would accept whatever happened calmly and even happily, and would have no need to resort to lashon hara.
IN A NUTSHELL
Someone who has been personally hurt by someone else is usually not acting purely l’shem Shamayim when he speaks against that person.
-A project of Mesorah Publications –
