Lesson 1. When you want someone to change, focus on positive methods of influencing them. People are much more open to complying with your requests when they like you. If you cause them pain and resentment by insulting them, they will do the exact opposite of what you want.

 

Lesson 2. If you have heard and believed lashon hora and want to make up for it, here's what you do. As long as you haven't repeated what you've heard to anyone else, you don't have to ask forgiveness from the person being spoken about. However. A) be resolved not to believe what you have already heard. B) Accept upon yourself never to listen to or believe lashon hora. and C) do a confession of sorts when you acknowledge openly between yourself and Gd. what has been done.

 

For a Refuah Shleima to Menachem Mendel ben Ita Leah

 

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Lashon Hora = Saying a derogatory/negative statement about someone else that is TRUE

Motzi Shaim Ra (Defamation of Character) = Saying a derogatory statement that is FALSE About Whom is it Forbidden to Speak Lashon Hora - Any Individual Jew - Alive or not, - adult or child, family member (spouse, in-laws, parent, child, siblings), groups/sects of Jews, Entire Jewish Nation

Rechilus - A word used to depict someone who goes to a person and tells them what someone else has said about them.

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These lessons are derived from a few books: Guard your Tongue: Adapted from Choeftz Chaim by Zelig Pliskin The Power of Words by Zelig Pliskin Chofetz Chaim: A Lesson a Day - The Concepts and Laws of Proper Speech Arranged for Daily Study By Shimon Finkleman and Yitzhok Berkowitz Purity of Speech: A short lesson on the halachot of shmirat Halashon Chofetz Chaim - A Daily Companion: Arranged by Reb Yehuda Zev Segal