Lesson #34: The Worst Sin of All
We might at first think that if we hear Lashon Ha’ra from somebody very close to us, such as a very dear friend or family member, we can assume that the information is true, because we have no reason to suspect that this person would speak to us dishonestly. But this is a mistake. Halacha forbids believing Lashon Ha’ra spoken about somebody even if the speaker is one’s father, mother, or even spouse. No matter how close and trustworthy the speaker is, the information may not be believed. Likewise, we may not believe Lashon Ha’ra even if the subject is somebody very close to the speaker, such as his or her spouse, parents or in-laws. Although we might assume that we have no reason to disbelieve the speaker, nevertheless, Halacha forbids believing the negative information told to us.
If the information is conveyed for a constructive purpose, then perhaps this might not be the case, but if the Lashon Ha’ra was spoken for no constructive purpose, then it may not be believed, despite the close relationship between the speaker and the listener, or between the speaker and the subject.
The Mishna teaches that certain Misvot are so precious that their reward cannot possibly be paid in this world. Our world is finite, such that even all the joy and blessings of this world cannot repay a person for the fulfillment of these Misvot. The Mishna writes that we receive the “interest” on the reward already in this world, but the “Keren” – the principal – cannot be given to us in this world, and is reserved for us in the next world. The Tosefta adds that conversely, there are some violations which are so grievous, that all the pain and suffering in this world cannot suffice to punish the violators. These include the three grave sins of murder, idol worship, and adultery. For such sins, only the “interest” on the punishment is paid in this world, whereas the principal will be paid in the next world. Now the Rambam writes that the severity of the prohibition of Lashon Ha’ra is equivalent to that of all three of the aforementioned cardinal sins. This means that the suffering and misfortune that people endure during their lifetime as punishment for speaking or listening to Lashon Ha’ra is only the “interest” of the punishment that will befall them in the next world. This is how uniquely severe the prohibition of Lashon Ha’ra is.
Let us, then, direct all our attention towards, and invest all our effort in, guarding our mouths and ensuring to avoid violating the prohibition of Lashon Ha’ra.