By Rabbi Aharon Seleh:
In this week’s parsha, we learn the laws of one who spoke loshon hora.
The Gemara teaches us that loshon hora is worse than the 3 cardinal sins: adultery, murder, and idol worship.
The חובות הלבבות says that when one speaks loshon hora, his mitzvot are taken from him and given to the person whom he spoke about, and he receives the other person’s sins. Somebody could be careful with all of Hashem’s commandments, but if he is not careful about loshon hora, he is liable to lose a lot.
The definition of loshon hora is anything that’s negative or comes across negative even if it’s a hundred percent true. Even if it’s not negative but the subject wouldn’t want it said, it’s loshon hora. People are accustomed to saying anything they want because, unfortunately, they weren’t taught to control their speech. The Gemara says if a person repeats a sin 3 times, then in his eyes it has already become permissible.
But the good news is we can repent and change our ways. We have to believe we could undo any damage we’ve done. But it takes effort and time. Before Yom Kippur, go over to anybody you know and ask forgiveness. Try to undo negative impressions you’ve given people. Hashem will help you tremendously. May we be zocheh to see Moshiach very soon.
Shabbat Shalom