Speaking Bad about a Person as Self-Defence
The Divine Code for December 29, 2022
Today: Page 377
Topic Chapter 8:7 - 8:12
A person should not gossip about someone else, nor should one listen to gossip about others.
However, one is allowed to speak the truth about a evil person and listen to it, if it is for protection and will prevents anyone from being harmed.
It is also permissible if it is done with the good intention of helping the person - spoken about - to improve his character or help him in his situation.
It is permissible to defend yourself if people say something wrong about you and in doing so it is necessary to disclose negative aspects of another person.
However, we can learn from the story of Judah and Tamar that it is good to consider whether you really want to speak about this or whether you would rather choose to remain silent.
הִ֣וא מוּצֵ֗את וְהִ֨יא שָׁלְחָ֤ה אֶל־חָמִ֙יהָ֙ לֵאמֹ֔ר לְאִישׁ֙ אֲשֶׁר־אֵ֣לֶּה לּ֔וֹ אָנֹכִ֖י הָרָ֑ה וַתֹּ֙אמֶר֙ הַכֶּר־נָ֔א לְמִ֞י הַחֹתֶ֧מֶת וְהַפְּתִילִ֛ים וְהַמַּטֶּ֖ה הָאֵֽלֶּה׃
As she was being brought out, she sent this message
to her father-in-law, “It’s by the man to whom these belong that I’m pregnant.” And she added, “Examine these: whose seal and cord and staff are these?” (Genesis 38:25)
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Reading schedule of the Divine Code
Yesterday's Study Topic: 8:2 -- 8:6
Tomorrow's Study Topic: 8:13 -- 9:1
Brought By Angelique Sijbolts
Angelique Sijbolts is one of the main writers for the Noahide Academy. She has been an observant Noahide for many years. She studies Torah with Rabbi Perets every week. Angelique invests much of her time in editing video-lectures for the Rabbis of the Academy and contributes in administrating the Academy's website in English and Dutch. She lives in the north of the Netherlands. Married and mother of two sons. She works as a teacher in a school with students with special needs. And is a Hebrew Teacher for the levels beginners and intermediate. She likes to walk, to read and play the piano.
Sources
The Divine Code 4e edition by rabbi Moshe Weiner
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Very good points Achoti! I strongly believe that there's a difference between slander, and testifying of the truth. 👍👍