Lashon hara, or loshon hora, or other similar variations (the evil tongue in Hebrew) denotes gossip and defamation. Unlike defamation in American and English law, however, truth is not a defense to the sin of lashon hara.

The main prohibition against Lashon Hara is mentioned in Leviticus 19:16 [1] : "Do not go as a gossiper amongst your people".

The definitive work on Lashon Hara is the book Chafetz Chayim by Rabbi Yisrael Meir Kagan (1873). Chafetz Chaim lists 31 speech-related mitzvot mentioned in the Torah.

See also

• Tzaraas

External links

• A primer on how to raise our children to look at the positive and speak well about others
• 31 mitzvot of speech
• Hilchot Lashon Hara (L"H)
• Negative Speech (Lashon Hora) | Chabad.org
• Lashon hara and dishonesty
• Finding Your Zivug or Mate Loshon Hora and Information-Seeking in Shidduchim