Lesson 2
We are forbidden to defame someone who is no longer alive. Saying things like "Mr. X. cheated a lot of people during his lifetime" is considered lashon hora.
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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
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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