Lashon hara
Encyclopedia
The Hebrew term lashon hara (or loshon hora) (Hebrew
לשון הרע; "evil tongue") is a term for gossip. It also refers to the prohibition in Jewish Law
of telling gossip
.
Lashon hara differs from defamation in that its focus is on the use of true speech for a wrongful purpose, rather than falsehood and harm arising. By contrast, motzi shem ra ("spreading a bad name") consists of untrue remarks, and is akin to slander or defamation.
Speech is considered to be lashon hara "evil tongue" if it says something negative about a person or party, is not previously known to the public, is not seriously intended to correct or improve a negative situation, and most importantly, is true
. Statements that fit this description are considered to be lashon hara, regardless of the method of communication that is used, whether it is through face-to-face conversation, a written letter, telephone, or email.
The sin of lashon hara is considered to be a most serious sin. Therefore, these scholars proclaim, how much more serious is such a statement that is false?
ha and adjective ra, "evil."
The Hebrew noun lashon means "tongue," and as in many languages, "speech" or "language" . The phrase is generally translated as "evil speech". It is true that the concept of lashon hara is regarding true and correct statements. Lies and false and exaggerated information fall into a worse category called Hotzaat diba, or derogatory/slanderous or defamatory speech which is, in fact, worse than lashon hara in many ways. Lashon hara can also be described as evil speech behind one another's back. Even if a person hears lashon hara, it is still considered as if they are speaking it.
The term corresponds to the idea of an evil tongue in other cultures, such as the Latin mala lingua, the French mauvaise langue, and the Spanish mala lengua
, but "keep thy tongue from evil" (נְצֹר לְשֹׁונְךָ מֵרָע) occurs in Psalm 34:14. The Hebrew Bible also contains general injunctions against gossip
such as: "Thou shalt not go up and down as a talebearer among thy people; neither shalt thou stand idly by the blood of thy neighbour: I am the ." Leviticus
19:16
The Talmud
(Arakhin
15b) lists lashon hara as one of the causes of the Biblical malady of tzaraath
(traditionally translated as leprosy
in Leviticus). In Sotah 42a, the Talmud states that habitual speakers of lashon hara are not tolerated in God's presence. Similar strong denouncements can be found in various places in Jewish literature.pdf
In Numbers
chapter 12, Miriam gossips with her brother Aaron. She questions why Moses is so much more qualified to lead the Jewish people than anyone else. God hears and strikes her down with tzaraath. Miriam had to stay outside of the camp for a week due to the tzaraath. During this time, all of Israel waited for her.
Yisrael Meir Kagan
wrote two major halakhic
works on the evil tongue: Hafetz Hayim ("Desirer of Life") and Shmirat HaLashon ("Guarding the tongue"), both 1873. The Hafetz Hayim lists 31 speech-related commandments
mentioned in the Torah
. An English translation, Guard Your Tongue, (2002) anthologizes the teachings of these two books.
The prohibition of lashon hara is intended to maintain the unity of the community, and to preserve its reputation.
Hebrew language
Hebrew is a Semitic language of the Afroasiatic language family. Culturally, is it considered by Jews and other religious groups as the language of the Jewish people, though other Jewish languages had originated among diaspora Jews, and the Hebrew language is also used by non-Jewish groups, such...
לשון הרע; "evil tongue") is a term for gossip. It also refers to the prohibition in Jewish Law
Halakha
Halakha — also transliterated Halocho , or Halacha — is the collective body of Jewish law, including biblical law and later talmudic and rabbinic law, as well as customs and traditions.Judaism classically draws no distinction in its laws between religious and ostensibly non-religious life; Jewish...
of telling gossip
Gossip
Gossip is idle talk or rumour, especially about the personal or private affairs of others, It is one of the oldest and most common means of sharing facts and views, but also has a reputation for the introduction of errors and variations into the information transmitted...
.
Lashon hara differs from defamation in that its focus is on the use of true speech for a wrongful purpose, rather than falsehood and harm arising. By contrast, motzi shem ra ("spreading a bad name") consists of untrue remarks, and is akin to slander or defamation.
Speech is considered to be lashon hara "evil tongue" if it says something negative about a person or party, is not previously known to the public, is not seriously intended to correct or improve a negative situation, and most importantly, is true
Truth
Truth has a variety of meanings, such as the state of being in accord with fact or reality. It can also mean having fidelity to an original or to a standard or ideal. In a common usage, it also means constancy or sincerity in action or character...
. Statements that fit this description are considered to be lashon hara, regardless of the method of communication that is used, whether it is through face-to-face conversation, a written letter, telephone, or email.
The sin of lashon hara is considered to be a most serious sin. Therefore, these scholars proclaim, how much more serious is such a statement that is false?
Etymology
The noun lashon, "tongue", is followed by the definite articleDefinite Article
Definite Article is the title of British comedian Eddie Izzard's 1996 performance released on VHS. It was recorded on different nights at the Shaftesbury Theatre...
ha and adjective ra, "evil."
The Hebrew noun lashon means "tongue," and as in many languages, "speech" or "language" . The phrase is generally translated as "evil speech". It is true that the concept of lashon hara is regarding true and correct statements. Lies and false and exaggerated information fall into a worse category called Hotzaat diba, or derogatory/slanderous or defamatory speech which is, in fact, worse than lashon hara in many ways. Lashon hara can also be described as evil speech behind one another's back. Even if a person hears lashon hara, it is still considered as if they are speaking it.
The term corresponds to the idea of an evil tongue in other cultures, such as the Latin mala lingua, the French mauvaise langue, and the Spanish mala lengua
Source
The term lashon hara does not explicitly occur in the Hebrew BibleHebrew Bible
The Hebrew Bible is a term used by biblical scholars outside of Judaism to refer to the Tanakh , a canonical collection of Jewish texts, and the common textual antecedent of the several canonical editions of the Christian Old Testament...
, but "keep thy tongue from evil" (נְצֹר לְשֹׁונְךָ מֵרָע) occurs in Psalm 34:14. The Hebrew Bible also contains general injunctions against gossip
Gossip
Gossip is idle talk or rumour, especially about the personal or private affairs of others, It is one of the oldest and most common means of sharing facts and views, but also has a reputation for the introduction of errors and variations into the information transmitted...
such as: "Thou shalt not go up and down as a talebearer among thy people; neither shalt thou stand idly by the blood of thy neighbour: I am the ." Leviticus
Leviticus
The Book of Leviticus is the third book of the Hebrew Bible, and the third of five books of the Torah ....
19:16
The Talmud
Talmud
The Talmud is a central text of mainstream Judaism. It takes the form of a record of rabbinic discussions pertaining to Jewish law, ethics, philosophy, customs and history....
(Arakhin
Arakhin
Arakhin is the fifth tractate in Seder Kodashim .Only chapters 1–6 based on Leviticus 27:1–8, deals with the vows of donating one's prescribed value as part of the dedication to the Temple, as well as other gifts to bedek habayis, or the treasury of the Temple...
15b) lists lashon hara as one of the causes of the Biblical malady of tzaraath
Tzaraath
The Hebrew noun tzaraath describes a disfigurative condition mainly referred to in chapters 13-14 of Leviticus, as well as conditions equivalent to be "mildew" on clothes and houses.Tzaraath affects both animate...
(traditionally translated as leprosy
Leprosy
Leprosy or Hansen's disease is a chronic disease caused by the bacteria Mycobacterium leprae and Mycobacterium lepromatosis. Named after physician Gerhard Armauer Hansen, leprosy is primarily a granulomatous disease of the peripheral nerves and mucosa of the upper respiratory tract; skin lesions...
in Leviticus). In Sotah 42a, the Talmud states that habitual speakers of lashon hara are not tolerated in God's presence. Similar strong denouncements can be found in various places in Jewish literature.pdf
In Numbers
Book of Numbers
The Book of Numbers is the fourth book of the Hebrew Bible, and the fourth of five books of the Jewish Torah/Pentateuch....
chapter 12, Miriam gossips with her brother Aaron. She questions why Moses is so much more qualified to lead the Jewish people than anyone else. God hears and strikes her down with tzaraath. Miriam had to stay outside of the camp for a week due to the tzaraath. During this time, all of Israel waited for her.
Yisrael Meir Kagan
Yisrael Meir Kagan
Yisrael Meir Poupko , known popularly as The Chofetz Chaim, was an influential Eastern European rabbi, Halakhist, posek, and ethicist whose works continue to be widely influential in Jewish life...
wrote two major halakhic
Halakha
Halakha — also transliterated Halocho , or Halacha — is the collective body of Jewish law, including biblical law and later talmudic and rabbinic law, as well as customs and traditions.Judaism classically draws no distinction in its laws between religious and ostensibly non-religious life; Jewish...
works on the evil tongue: Hafetz Hayim ("Desirer of Life") and Shmirat HaLashon ("Guarding the tongue"), both 1873. The Hafetz Hayim lists 31 speech-related commandments
613 mitzvot
The 613 commandments is a numbering of the statements and principles of law, ethics, and spiritual practice contained in the Torah or Five Books of Moses...
mentioned in the Torah
Torah
Torah- A scroll containing the first five books of the BibleThe Torah , is name given by Jews to the first five books of the bible—Genesis , Exodus , Leviticus , Numbers and Deuteronomy Torah- A scroll containing the first five books of the BibleThe Torah , is name given by Jews to the first five...
. An English translation, Guard Your Tongue, (2002) anthologizes the teachings of these two books.
Exceptions
There are times when a person is obligated to speak out, even though the information is disparaging. Specifically, if a person’s intent in sharing the negative information is for a to’elet, a positive, constructive, and beneficial purpose, the prohibition against lashon hara does not apply. Motzi shem ra, spouting lies and spreading disinformation, is always prohibited. And if the lashon hara serves as a warning against the possibility of future harm, such communication is not only permissible, but, under certain conditions, compulsory.Sociology
There is an important difference between lashon hara and slander. The Jewish communities in Europe were usually small, close-knit communities, where everybody knew everybody else. Slander was dangerous, because it could cause infightings and eventually the exclusion or marginalization of an individual and his family, or the disintegration of the community. The defamation of one community member could negatively reflect upon the reputation of the entire community in the eyes of the non-Jewish population, at a time when prejudice against Jews was rife.The prohibition of lashon hara is intended to maintain the unity of the community, and to preserve its reputation.
External links
- Translation of Sefer Shmiras HaLashon
- Let Them Talk: The Mitzvah to Speak Lashon Hara by Rabbi Mark Dratch, JSafe
- A primer on how to raise our children to look at the positive and speak well about others
- 31 mitzvot of speech
- Hilchot Lashon Hara (L"H)
- Negative Speech (Lashon Hora) | Chabad.org
- Finding Your Zivug or Mate Loshon Hora and Information-Seeking in Shidduchim