Day 72 - To a
Non-Jew
SEFER CHOFETZ CHAIM — Laws of
Loshon Hora 8:12
At one time or another, we
hear derogatory remarks about Jews. It is tragic enough when such remarks are
made by Jews to Jewish listeners. Even more tragic is when they are told by
Jews to co-workers, business associates, or others who are not Jewish. The
subject of these remarks might be an individual Jew, a specific group of Jews,
or Jews in general.
The Chofetz Chaim declares
that to speak loshon hora about a Jew when the listener is a gentile is
a much greater sin than when the listener is a Jew. One who is guilty of this
sin “disgraces the honor of Israel and desecrates the Name of Heaven.”
There is yet another
reason for the particular severity of this sin. When one speaks loshon hora to
a fellow Jew, there is a possibility that the listener will not be quick to
accept the report as fact—especially if he is someone familiar with the laws of
loshon hora. Gentiles, on the other hand, certainly do not have a
predisposition towards judging Jews favorably. Upon hearing the derogatory
report, the gentile will be quick to believe it and pass the information on to
others.
When a Jew denigrates
other Jews in the presence of gentiles, he is, in essence, contradicting the
purpose of his own existence. Our mission in this world as a people is to
spread the honor of Hashem by
serving as His representatives before the rest of the world. We say in Shema
each day: “V’Ahavta es Hashem Elokecha” And you shall love
Hashem, your God (Devarim 6:4). Our Sages teach (Yoma 86a)
that we demonstrate our love of Hashem by making His Name beloved in the eyes
of others. When a Jew studies Torah, speaks pleasantly to people and deals
honestly in business, then people say, “Praiseworthy is the father who taught
him Torah; praiseworthy is the teacher who taught him Torah. See how beautiful
and correct are his ways and deeds.”
Thus the damage caused by relating loshon
hora to gentiles goes far beyond loshon hora, which is devastating
in itself. Instead of using his abilities to increase Hashem’s honor, the
speaker has been guilty of chillul Hashem (desecration of Hashem’s
Name).
from the Chofetz Chaim Heritage Assoc.