The fact that a situation falls under one of the previously listed categories does not necessarily mean that discussing it constitutes constructive speech. No less than 7 conditions must be met before a critical statement about an individual may be said.
Condition #1: The first set of conditions deals with verification of facts. It is absolutely forbidden to make any critical statement about a person on the basis of information obtained through hearsay. Only through first-hand information may one assume that a Jew’s character or behavior is wanting. An exception would be where one seeks to protect someone from potential harm; such instances would permit one to pass on second-hand information. This will be discussed later.
Condition #2: Even if one has witnessed seemingly unacceptable behavior, he must not hastily pass judgement on what has occurred. An incident taken out of context can be terribly misleading, both as a reflection on an individual’s character as well as in determining who is right in a dispute between parties. Circumstances must be carefully investigated before one can be sure that he understands a situation correctly. Above all, before concluding that a person has, in fact, transgressed Jewish law, one must be knowledgeable of the relevant halachos.
