Not to gossip about others

Speech – דָּבָר

• Rambam (Hilchot De’ot 7:2) defines gossip as a distortion of speech, misusing Hashem’s gift. Talmud (Arachin 15b) says lashon hara kills three — speaker, listener, and subject. Rashi (Lev. 19:16) illustrates gossip as wandering words like a peddler, showing how unguarded speech travels destructively.

Gossip/Slander – לָשׁוֹן הָרָע

• Talmud (Arachin 15b) equates lashon hara with idolatry, murder, and adultery. Rambam forbids even true gossip if harmful. Sefer HaChinuch (236) stresses that slander destroys peace, and Midrash Rabbah (Lev. 26:2) calls it a desecration of holy speech. Ramban explains its power lies in its subtlety, appearing harmless but corroding trust.

Community – קְהִלָּה

• Sefer HaChinuch writes that gossip divides kehilla, turning neighbors against each other. Talmud (Arachin 15b) links gossip to exile, since it fractures communal unity. Midrash Rabbah (Lev. 26:2) explains that community thrives only when speech is pure.

Compassion – רַחֲמִים

• Ramban emphasizes compassion demands restraint, even when words are true. Talmud (Pesachim 118a) praises those who endure insults silently, for they embody Hashem’s mercy. Sefer HaChinuch notes gossip often stems from callousness, the opposite of compassion.

Justice – צֶדֶק

• Rambam explains gossip is unjust because it convicts without trial. Rashi calls gossip “hidden theft,” robbing someone’s reputation. Talmud (Sanhedrin 31a) connects justice to words, requiring fairness in speech as in judgment.

Faith – אֱמוּנָה

• Midrash (Lev. Rabbah 26:2) says speech reflects the Divine image, for Hashem created through words. Using words for gossip undermines faith. Rambam (Sefer HaMitzvot, Lo Ta’aseh 301) says avoiding lashon hara demonstrates emunah by trusting Hashem to judge, not gossip.

Bein Adam L’Chavero – בֵּין אָדָם לַחֲבֵרוֹ

• Talmud (Arachin 15b) explains gossip destroys relationships and trust. Sefer HaChinuch notes this mitzvah ensures dignity between people. Rashi emphasizes that communal peace relies on guarding words.

Bein Adam L’Makom – בֵּין אָדָם לְמָקוֹם

• Ramban explains that lashon hara desecrates Hashem’s image within every Jew. Midrash Rabbah teaches that words are sacred tools of creation; their misuse violates faith in Hashem. Talmud (Arachin 15b) says lashon hara drives the Shechinah away.