SEFER CHOFETZ CHAIM — Hilchos Rechilus 3:1
In this segment, the Chofetz Chaim refers us to a footnote in the Preface to Sefer Chofetz Chaim, where he offers a real-life, most disturbing illustration:
Reuven approaches Shimon and says, “Want to hear what Levi said about you?” and he proceeds to relate some nasty comments which, he claims, were made by Levi.
Shimon, contrary to the law that one may not believe rechilus, accepts the report as absolute truth. The next time he meets Levi, he gets straight to the point. “How dare you spread such lies about me!” and he proceeds to tell Levi what he heard from Reuven.
Levi defends himself. “Reuven is lying — I never said those things.”
Shimon reports Levi’s denial to Reuven. “Oh, so now he’s denying it!” Reuven responds. “You come with me, and we’ll see if he’ll deny it in front of me.”
The two approach Levi and, in Shimon’s presence, Reuven repeats what he claims to have heard from Levi concerning Shimon.
Levi’s face reddens from embarrassment and he has difficulty getting the words out of his mouth. Finally, he says to Shimon, “I did say something like that — but not in the tone of voice and gestures that Reuven has used. If you would have been present when I spoke, you would have realized that I did not intend to degrade you in any way.”
“Don’t tell me stories,” Shimon retorts angrily.
“The fact that Reuven did not hesitate to repeat what you said in your presence proves to me that he is speaking the truth.”
In this illustration, numerous sins have been transgressed. Reuven was, of course, guilty of speaking rechilus. Shimon was guilty of believing rechilus. The fact that Reuven repeated the comment in Levi’s presence does not give Shimon a right to believe it. In fact, Reuven’s sin is compounded by the fact that he repeated it in Levi’s presence, for not only did he once again speak rechilus, he also embarrassed Levi.
And why did Reuven confront Levi and embarrass him? To preserve his own self-image, since he had been accused by Levi of lying. Had Reuven had any interest in following the ways of Hashem, says the Chofetz Chaim, he would have swallowed his pride and remained silent rather than embarrass Levi and cause Shimon to be furious. Furthermore, by confronting Levi in Shimon’s presence, Reuven was guilty of a most serious form of rechilus. As long as Reuven’s report is not said in front of Levi, there is always the chance that Shimon will choose not to believe it. However, now that Reuven has confronted Levi in Shimon’s presence, Shimon will surely say to himself, “This must be true, for if not, Reuven would not have had the nerve to repeat it in front of Levi.”
The Chofetz Chaim concludes: “May Hashem save us from such lowly behavior.”
IN A NUTSHELL
The sin of rechilus is compounded when a speaker repeats his sinful words in the subject’s presence to prove their truth.
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