26 Amy Scheinerman

is referred to as defamation of character(motzi shem ra al chaveiro). Rather, one who speaks lashon hara is someone who sits and relates: “This is what so and so has done;”“His parents were such and such,” “This is what I have heard about him,” telling uncomplimentary things. Concerning this[transgression], the verse(Psalms 12:4) states: “May God cut off all guileful lips, the tongues which speak proud things...”

3. Our Sages said:“There are three sins for which retribution is exacted from a person in this world and,[for which, nonetheless] he is denied a portion in the world-to-come: idol worship, forbidden sexual relations, and murder. Lashon hara is equivalent to all of them.” Our Sages also said:“Anyone who speaks lashon hara is like one who denies God as[implied by Psalms 12:5]:“Those who said: With our tongues we will prevail; our lips are our own. Who is Lord over us?” In addition, they said:“Lashon hara kills three[people], the one who speaks*¢ it, the one who listens to it, and the one about whom it is spoken.” The one who listens to it[suffers] more than the one who speaks it.

4. There are certain matters that are considered“the dust of lashon hara”(avak lashon hara). What is implied?[For example, a person says:]“Who will tell so and-so to continue acting as he does now,” or “Do not talk about so and so; I do not want to say what happened,” or the like. Similarly it is also considered the“dust of lashon hara” when someone speaks favorably about a colleague in the presence of his enemies, for this will surely prompt them to speak disparagingly about him. In this regard, King Solomon said(Proverbs 27:14):“One who greets his colleague early in the morning, in a loud voice, curses him,” for his positive[act] will bring him negative[repercussions]. Similarly,[to be condemned is] a person who relates lashon hara in frivolity and jest, as if he were not speaking with hatred. This was also mentioned by Solomon in his wisdom(Proverbs 26: 18, 19):“As a madman who throws firebrands, arrows, and death and says:‘I am