While the verse “Do not go as a gossipmonger among your people” (Vayikra 19:16), prohibits all forms of loshon hora, the term “gossipmonger,” refers specifically to rechilus, information that potentially can cause ill will between Jews. Whereas loshon hora that is derogatory can cause others to lose respect for the subject, rechilus can cause damage to relationships between the subject and his fellow Jews.
It is forbidden to tell someone that an individual: did something to harm him; spoke loshon hora against him; doesn’t like him; or doesn’t respect him, since such statements would, in all probability, cause the listener to feel ill will towards that individual.
