Please Say/ Whisper the Words Out Loud
Lesson 1- 4th Condition
The lenient opinion (allowing one to repeat this information) only permits the lashon hora to be repeated in the city where it was originally heard, since there it would be spread by the 3 people who have heard it. (If the city where the LH was spoken initially is very large, this cannot be applied).
Lesson 2 - 5th condition
If the person who originally related the lashon hora in the presence of 3 indicated in any manner taht s/he does not want the info spread any further, the listeners are forbidden to repeat the LH to anyone else since chances are at least 1 listener will obey the speakers request.
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(In case you missed the last related lessons - Recap from before.
Although there’s the opinion that it’s okay to repeat lashon hora spoken in the presence of 3 or more people, it is not widely accepted. However, even if this lenient opinion is accepted, there are many conditions that restrict its applicability.
Qualifications for repeating information spoken about in front of 3 people
A. Even if lashon hora was told in the presence of 3 people, it is forbidden to be spread purposefully. The lenient opinion only allows the information to be INCIDENTALLY repeated, without any intent to publicize it. (to be continued)
B. The special (and lenient) category of repeating LH spoken in the presence of 3 people applies ONLY to someone who has her/himself heard it in the presence of 3 people. If it was heard with less than 3 people, or even if the speak assures you that s/he initially said it in front of 3 people, you CANNOT repeat it.
C. If any of the 3 listeners is the type of person who guards their speech and will not repeat the lashon hora, it is forbidden for the others to repeat it. The same is true if one of the 3 is a relative or close friend of the person spoken about. In these cases, they won’t repeat it, so itts like it was only said in front of 2.
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These lessons are taken directly from Guard Your Tongue by Rabbi Zelig Pliskin - Adapted from the teachings of the Chafetz Chaim
Important Numbers
