Another reason not to speak Loshon Hara.

The Chofetz Chaim teaches that speaking negatively of an older sibling, a step-parent or, God forbid, a father or mother, is not only loshon hora, it is a violation of the commandment “Honor your father and mother (Shemos 20:12)”. There is also a curse applied to children who show parents disrespect: “Cursed is he who degrades his father or mother” (Devarim 27:16).

One of the primary reasons Hashem created the family unit was so that it could be a workshop, a place for the neshamah (soul) to develop. The home is where we learn to be less self-centered, where we develop a love of chesed (kindness) towards others. When the laws of shmiras halashon guide the family’s interactions, each neshamah which this “workshop” produces can develop to its full, rich potential.

from: dcompanion@chofetzchaimusa.org

Proof that loshon hora is harmful.

The relationship in the Torah between tzara’as (a skin disease induced by spiritual impurity) and the sin of loshon hora is well known. Moshe’s righteous sister Miriam was afflicted with tzara’as because she said something about Moshe that had just the slightest taint of loshon hora. Her words were well intentioned and she spoke only to her brother Aaron, yet she was immediately punished with tzara’as and the Jewish people had to delay travel for seven days until she was cured.

If one ever needed proof that loshon hora is as harmful as we have suggested, this is it. There is no other sin so toxic that it comes with its own unique corrective illness. In the Torah’s system of reward and punishment, there are no bolts of lightning striking down wrongdoers, because that would subvert the concept of bechirah (free choice). If Divine punishment were instantaneous, there would be no opportunity to choose between right and wrong. Similarly, if every sin was punishable by its own unique sickness, it would be virtually unthinkable to sin.

SEFER CHOFETZ CHAIM

Building connections to prevent Loshon Hara

Rashi says that Sinas Chinam is not hating someone for no reason, it is isolating yourself from other people, thinking that you do not need what they have to offer.  One of the best ways of eliminating Loshon Hara is to appreciate what other people have to offer, and to stay connected to them.

from a Shiur by Rebbetzin Heller on Smiras Haloshon

Seeking Kedusha

Kedusha is connection, Tuma is separation.  When we are connected to Hashem, we grow in Kedusha.  When we are distant from Hashem we lose kedusha.  Loshon Hara separates us from others, and by extension from Hashem.

The western world thinks that productivity is our highest goal, really relationship should be our highest goal.

To achieve real kedusha, spend parts of your day unplugged from technology, devoted to achieving uninterrupted connection.

from the Shiur by Rabbi Lieb Keleman, Marriage - Making Room in Our Lives for Those We Love

http://www.simpletoremember.com/media/a/MakingRoom/