In this week’s Parsha, Kidoshim, the Torah writes, “Do not go about as a talebearer among your people, and do not stand idly by the blood of your fellow, I am God.”

The Talmud (Sanhedrin 73a) states: “From where is it derived that one who sees another drowning in a river, or being dragged away by a wild animal, or being attacked by bandits, is obligated to save him? The Torah states: “You shall not stand idly by the blood of another.”  According to the Talmud the end of the verse is teaching us that one must risk one’s own life (how much of a risk is the subject of argument) in order to save another person.  Of course the beginning of the verse also teaches us something, that one is forbidden to talk badly of another, whether true or untrue, unless it is to save another person.  

What do we make of the juxtaposition of the phrases in the verse?   

The answer seems obvious, as the Medrash in Derech Eretz Rabbah says: “Rabbi Isaac said: Slanderers are like shedders of blood, as it is stated, Thou shalt not go up and down as a talebearer among thy people; neither shalt thou stand idly by the blood of thy neighbor.”

The Rabbis tell us there are terrible consequences and punishments for speaking Lason Hara, slander.  This Shabbat give some thought to the following:

1. Have you ever spoken or listened to bad talk about someone else?

2. Why did you?  What motivated you?

3. When you think back to it, is there a practical way you could have sidestepped it?

4. What can one do when one is among people talking lashon hara?  

Lason Hara is one of the hardest things to avoid, but together, as a community, if we raise consciousness about it, we can minimize it a bit and bring more love and unity among us.