Category Archives: Shmiras Haloshon

You are forbidden to tell others that a person failed to fulfill mitzvos.  This prohibition relates to mitzvos stated in the Torah or Rabbincal decrees; a mitzvah in its entirety or a detail of a mitzvah; whether you have heard … Continue reading →

You are forbidden to relate information about a person’s past misdeeds or the misdeeds of his family even if you do not intend to belittle him, and you will not cause the listener to think less of him, as he … Continue reading →

You are forbidden to belittle someone by telling others about his family’s misbehavior or his own past misbehavior, especially when he presently behaves properly.  ~ Guard Your Tongue

And the most important manner in which one can earn a place in the World to Come is to guard one’s speech.  And this is greater than all the Torah and good deeds, for speech is the holiest of the … Continue reading →

If at all feasible you should give people the benefit of the doubt.  If you relate an incident not giving the benefit of the doubt in circumstances which obligate you to do so, you would be guilty of speaking loshon … Continue reading →

If you say something derogatory about another person, you are guilty of speaking loshon hora even if that person does not suffer any consequent loss or damage.  An example of this is a case where the listener refused to believe … Continue reading →

If you say something derogatory about another person, you are guilty of speaking loshon hora even if that person does not find out about it or suffer any consequent loss or damage. ~ Guard Your Tongue

Any statement, even if not derogatory, that might ultimately cause financial loss, physical pain, mental anguish, or any damage, is loshon hora. ~ Guard Your Tongue

It is not necessary to explicitly mention someone’s name for a statement to be considered loshon hora.  If the listener will be able to deduce the identity of the person you are referring to, you are guilty of speaking loshon … Continue reading →