6142 – Plain Pain Politics! -

A. Regarding the prohibition of Lashon Horah, there are certain, special situations, where speaking the truth is not only permited but also requested. One of those situations is where sharing the damaging or disparaging information will result in benefit and true help for someone who requires that information. An examination of the sources of these halachos will be helpful for understanding these laws properly.

The Chofetz Chaim (C.C.L.H. 10:B.M.C.:1) cites Rabbeinu Yonah (Sha’arei Teshuva 221) who writes that a bystander who witnesses one person attack or damage another may reveal what he has seen in order to help the victim recover his loss, or in order to denigrate a wrongdoers, so as to prevent others from learning from their ways. Rabbeinu Yonah proves this from the Scriptural allowance for a single witness, who is not normally believed in Jewish court, to testify in monetary matters in the Bais Din (Jewish court) in order to require a shevua (oath) from the defendant. This proposed oath could result in the claimant recovering his money in the event that the defendant refuses to swear. It can beseen from here, says Rabbeinu Yonah, that lashon hara is only forbidden when spoken for non-constructive purposes. However, when speaking the lashon hara letoeles, or for correct benefit such as in the above case of obligating a shevua, it is permitted.