Loshan Hara or The Right Thing to Do?
Speaking out about the wrongdoings of people who abuse others, politicians and about my government has earned me some accusations of performing LASHON HARA . A wonderful commentary from Radical Torah however, throws it into a whole new light for me: (excerpts) Well, who do I know who loves rebuke? Let’s see. There’s — no, well, how about — no. Hmm. I think , didn’t — …uh, nope, not her either. Maybe..? No, nope. Well, I can’t really think of anyone I know who loves rebuke. But rebuking, that’s another story. I’m sure we can all think of lots of folks who are pretty into it. They swoop into your office on an already unpleasant Monday to let you know about some trivial thing that no one but them noticed. Or they call you up and sweetly tell you they told you so. Or — Hey, Mom, do I have to hear about that again? But surely, that’s not what the Torah is speaking of when it tells us this week, Leviticus 19:17: You shall not hate your brother in your heart; you shall surely rebuke...