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I've read a lot about lashon hara from the perspective of (not) speaking it. My question is from the other side: what are one's obligations, both halacha and ethically (per Judaism), upon witnessin...
Question
lashon-hara-gossip
#2: Post edited
by
Monica Cellio
·
2020-09-02T23:04:06Z (over 4 years ago)
- I've read a lot about *lashon hara* from the perspective of (not) speaking it. My question is from the other side: what are one's obligations, both *halacha* and ethically (per Judaism), upon *witnessing* it? I understand that we're supposed to not believe it, but are we supposed to take other actions?
For example, in a conversation where somebody else says what sounds like *lashon hara*, should one question the statement (trying to judge favorably)? Make a counter-statement (if the listener knows the claim to be false)? Change the subject to try to prevent anything more being said on the subject (and thus more *lashon hara* possibly being said)?Does the answer depend on the nature of the *lashon hara*, like how damaging it is if believed or how many people are present?
- I've read a lot about *lashon hara* from the perspective of (not) speaking it. My question is from the other side: what are one's obligations, both *halacha* and ethically (per Judaism), upon *witnessing* it? I understand that we're supposed to not believe it, but are we supposed to take other actions?
- For example, in a conversation where somebody else says what sounds like *lashon hara*, should the listener question/challenge the statement (trying to judge favorably)? Make a counter-statement (if the listener knows the claim to be false)? Change the subject to try to prevent anything more being said on the subject (and thus more *lashon hara* possibly being said)?
- Does the answer depend on the nature of the *lashon hara*, like how damaging it is if believed, how many people are present, or the status of the people involved?
#1: Initial revision
by
Monica Cellio
·
2020-08-30T04:25:09Z (over 4 years ago)
How should one who hears lashon hara respond?
I've read a lot about *lashon hara* from the perspective of (not) speaking it. My question is from the other side: what are one's obligations, both *halacha* and ethically (per Judaism), upon *witnessing* it? I understand that we're supposed to not believe it, but are we supposed to take other actions? For example, in a conversation where somebody else says what sounds like *lashon hara*, should one question the statement (trying to judge favorably)? Make a counter-statement (if the listener knows the claim to be false)? Change the subject to try to prevent anything more being said on the subject (and thus more *lashon hara* possibly being said)? Does the answer depend on the nature of the *lashon hara*, like how damaging it is if believed or how many people are present?