What is loshon Hora

The textbook definition of loshon hora is saying anything negative about another Jew. It is forbidden medoraisa (from the Torah, as opposed to from the Rabbis) to speak ill about another Jew. Of course, as in all halacha there are many questionable situations that may arise and one may not know if it is permitted to say something about someone or not. For example, what if I know that "A" want to steal from "B"? I am not allowed to warn "B"??!! The answer is of course I am! But if I tell "B", is that not something negative about "A"?! The answer is that does not fit the real definition of loshon hora.

First, lets explore why loshon horo is forbidden. I think that everyone will agree that it is forbidden to damage someone's property and if one causes damage, he must pay. Loshon horo is a form of damage. It is a very serious type of damage. It is character assassination. Even one innocent comment could subconsciously cause the listener to view the victim differently. This is why the Torah commanded every Jew to be very careful about another Jew's reputation and to be as sensitive towards him or her as one would be towards themselves.

Now back to the true more sophisticated definition of loshon horo. Loshon horo is the act of saying anything derogatory that could damage another Jew. Therefore, the laws of loshon horo are unique in that whether or not it is forbidden depends on the speaker's "kavana", or intent. Therefore, it should now be easy to understand why it is perfectly fine and even a MITZVA to warn someone that they are going to be damaged by another Jew so that they can protect themself. In this case, the speakers intent is not to damage the person he is talking about. Rather it is to help the potential true victim and warn him that it may be wise to protect himself from a certain individual.

So now for the first halacha (law) of loshon horo. It is forbidden to say any TRUE statement that is derogatory about another Jew. For example, "A" cannot say to "B", "I heard "C" is not a very safe driver" (Of course, as explained before, if "A"s intent is to stop "B" from going into a car driven by "C" because he is concerned about "B"s safety, it is not only permitted...it is a mitzva). If one says a false derogatory statement about another Jew, the sin is much graver...it is called "motzei shem ra", literally translated as "spreading a bad name". Once again, using the more sophisticated definition of loshon horo as damaging another Jew as one would damage his physical property, one can understand why motzei shem ra is worse than loshon horo. The victim is damaged more when there are false rumors spreading about him!

to be continued...