A Lashon Hara Protocol For the Digital Age?

A new understanding of the laws of lashon hara.

Hilkhot Lashon Horah For The Digital Age, By Rabbi Yair Hoffman

[First seen over on VIN News.]

Comments

[babby]

im 12 and what is this

[Dr. Dave]

Uh Oh...

My facebook page needs to do teshuva

I better start twittering Tehillim.

[Dorian]

The 'Lashon Harah' rules are often a save haven for scum of any kind that try to get rid of their shame and blame it on the outspoke truth by calling it a lie.
And no doubt any rabbi & co will fall for that. It's a total distortion and 'rape'of common sence and ethics.
Blessed are those who are NOT limited by this!!

[Mr. Apikoros]

By definition, Lashom Hara is truthful.

[SJ]

Orthodox jews from my experience really do suck at following loshon hara stuff. Once in a while I, the evil secular heritic, would begin to say something about someone (human nature lol) they shhh me aaah loshon lahara nope can't listen to this, but I would hear them speak about others in their community ALL THE TIME it's not even funny.

[nobody]

I like how you embedded the file (with multiple pages) into your post. That is very cool. Don't have time to actually read it though.

[PulpitRabbi]

Dorian:
It is a logical fallacy to claim that since some bad people are shielded from some public criticism through the prohibition on lashon hara', therefore all the lashon hara' prohibition does is shield bad people. (even if A is in B, B is not identical to A)

Many perfectly innocent or at least not egregiously bad people are hurt because of information published about them on line (and there is hardly forgetfulness before the internet.)

If employers didn't use the silliest reasons to violate their [prospective] employees' privacy and deny them jobs for whatever reason that has nothing to do with their employment, or for whatever sin that was committed far in the past, the issue would be more manageable. Right now, innocent people suffer disproportionately from careless blog posts about them or even by their own pen, eh, keyboard.

While I disagree with numerous posts by our blogmaster, at least it can be shown that in a number of cases, he did his research well. That wouldn't absolve him of the obligation of avoiding lashon hara', it also wouldn't guarantee that all his posts only target people who should suffer eternal internet damnation - I'd claim it is demonstrably not so, but opinions will differ - however, his more celebrated victims were at least well researched, which cannot be said of all bloggers, far less of commenters.

I think that we need more writing on netiquette, including regarding the laws of lashon hara', preferably by people who know the internet well. Thank you R. Hoffman, thank you Shmarya.

[Dorian]

Pulpit Rabbi wrote:
"....It is a logical fallacy to claim that since some bad people are shielded from
some public criticism through the prohibition on lashon hara', therefore all the lashon hara' prohibition does is shield bad people. (even if A is in B, B is not identical to A)...

Many perfectly innocent or at least not egregiously bad people are hurt because of information published about them on line (and there is hardly forgetfulness before the internet.).........."

I COULDN'T AGREE WITH YOU MORE!
HOWEVER..that's why I wrote 'often' in the sence that many times, let's say people who have something to hide or want to justify their actions (..) OFTEN use lashon ha'rah as an excuse to avoid punishment or at least any form of confrontation.
And with them are many 'religious authorities' that coöperate with them based on countless 'small letters' in the law in order to protect them. The person accused of Lashon Ha'Rah is in most cases shuffed aside and put in a bad light.
Against better judgement people choose to stay 'oblivious' from signs, warnings, intuïtion against their better judgement.
Turning their heads in total piouty..
But I ask you...how many children, battered women etc etc..could and should have been saved if things were taken just into concideration instead of turning it into a war of one against the other...
Isn't it scary that so many don't even give it a second thaught but by the first words of a protective rabbi (..) immediately gather behind hím and in full force go against the person who allegedly spoke Lashon Ha'rah.

ON the other hand I agree with you that many people who are completely innocent or only remotely 'guilty' of something minor (..) are dragged thru the mud and 'branded for life' by what others write or say about them. The internet is a 'handy tool' in this.

My objection is that the rules of Lashon Ha'rah are to often applied in black and white. It should be handled more carefully in both ways. And because we're dealing with people here (of whom we shouldn't expect to much..) it takes more than just 'religious hair-picking'.
Needless to say that any form of so called Lashon Ha'rah should come with based facts or, let's say, a good story to back it up.

Having handled some Lashon Ha'rah myself about our family recently (...)I can only say that may we all be far and free from Lashon Ha'rah.

[William Dwek]

The Swine Flu is common in PIGS.

This is a clear indication that it is the Dayanim (“Judges”) and “Rabbis” of today who are the PIGS and swines.

They twist and use the Torah for their own power and commercial benefit.

They are corrupt. And they are interested in only one thing:

MONEY.

Not the Torah.

[William Dwek]

When “dayanim” and “rabbis” use the Torah for their own power and commercial profit, this is the behaviour of a swine i.e. a Pig.

No other “rabbi” will ever act against another “rabbi” - even when he knows his colleague is clearly desecrating the Torah. Each rabbi is only worried about losing his own position.

Therefore, the “rabbi” and “dayan” will never effect justice. And he will never truly stand for the Torah or the Honour of Hashem. His pocket will always prevail.

The Torah must never be used for commercial gain and profit. Am Yisrael can only be lead by those who have the necessary love and respect of Hashem and the Torah.

[William Dwek]

1. The “dayan” and “rabbi” may use lies. They turn the innocent into the guilty, and the guilty, become the innocent. They will not hesitate to tell lies in the Synagogue.

2. The “dayan” and “rabbi” may steal. They steal and siphon off money for themselves, from the community and individuals.

3. The “dayan” and “rabbi” may commit murder. They may shame a Jew in public, even repeatedly. This is one of the most vile acts of murder in Jewish law – and they know this.

4. The “dayan” and “rabbi” will not hesitate to use Lashon Hara (the “Evil Tongue”) to suit his own ends. Slander and gossip. This too, is one of the worst acts of murder in Jewish Law. Their slander is never challenged by the community, because they hold positions of power. And the slander may begin with the Rebbetzin herself.

5. The “dayanim” and “rabbis” worship idols and other gods. Their only god is Money. Especially the “Dayanim” – the “Judges” who sit on a Beit Din. They only care about their high incomes and retirement packages. They have little or no love for the Torah or Hashem.

In the case of Lubavitch/Chabad, all their rabbis are carrying out a form of Avodah Zarah – strange worship. They are using mediation and intercession. This is completely forbidden, and against the Torah. We are only to pray to Hashem, directly ourselves.

6. When the NAME of Hashem has been taken in Vain – repeatedly - by reshaim, the “rabbi” will turn a deaf ear and blind eye to the

CHILLUL HASHEM.

This is the abhorrent behaviour of a Pig.

This is an extremely severe and dangerous situation.

There is NO forgiveness for this evil sin and aveirah.

7. The “dayan” and “rabbi” may also offer large bribes, tell lies and bring False Witnesses – when he in fact has committed the crime. These are heinous acts of the most despicable kind. This is especially vile when the “dayan” is sitting on a “Beit Din.”

8. The “rabbi” may commit adultery. And when he gets divorced, he may spread slander about his own ex-wife, blackening her name – when in fact he was at fault.

9. The “dayan” and “rabbi” may also desecrate Shabbat – if it suits him. He will use physical violence against another Jew or Jewess at any time. This evil and venomous behaviour is 100% against the Torah.