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Sefer Chafetz Chayim
Hilchot Esurei Lashon Hara

Kelal Dalet

Hilchot Esurei Lashon Hara

Kelal Dalet (K4 – 4th chapter)

The esur Lashon Hara as it applies between man
and G‑d, and the remedy for this sin. There are 12

halachot in this Kelal.

Mekor Hachayim Be'er Mayim Chayim on page 137

K4/1. It is forbidden to say anything that would humiliate another

Jew even if it is not spoken in his presence and even if the comment
is truthful. And it goes without saying that comments that are
demeaning, as an example, repeating demeaning stories (1) of this
person’s family background or stories of this person’s past, whether
the comment involves this person in his relationship with G‑d (2) or
this person in his relationship with other people (3). As long as this
person’s current lifestyle is fine and upstanding it is forbidden to
demean him or humiliate him and the comment is Lashon Hara. And
even if he was seen doing something entirely privately, something
which is halachically inappropriate (4) in his relationship between
himself and G‑d (there are other criteria if the incident is between
this person and other people as will be explained with G‑d’s help
above in the 10th Kelal), nevertheless it is forbidden to demean this
person even if it is not in his presence, as long as the disclosure does
not conform to the criteria defined further on in the 7th halacha of
this Kelal. (Please see the following Hagahah).

Be'er Mayim Chayim on page 147

K4/2. It makes no difference if the offense is a Torah imposed

Lav or a Torah imposed Aseh that is commonly known in Jewish
society to be forbidden, because most certainly the “victim” would

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