The Slanderer Is Like An Idolater And A Shedder Of Blood

Midrash Mishlei 6:3

Curated by Arthur·Told by Maggid·

(Proverbs 6:12): "A base man, a man of iniquity, walks with a crooked mouth" — these are the masters of slander (lashon hara), whom the Holy One, blessed be He, likened to idolatry. For what reason? Because slander is as grave as idolatry. Rabbi Yehoshua says: it is comparable only to a shedder of blood, for it is written (Genesis 9:6): "Whoever sheds the blood of a man, by man shall his blood be shed." So too here: since he goes about and informs against people, it is as if he sheds his blood. And not only that, but Solomon in his wisdom cursed him and said (Proverbs 6:13): "He winks with his eyes, he shuffles with his feet, he points with his fingers"; (Proverbs 6:14): "perversities are in his heart, he devises evil at all times, he sends forth strife." What is written after it? A curse: (Proverbs 6:15): "Therefore his calamity shall come suddenly; in an instant he shall be broken, and there shall be no healing."

Themes

SpeechEthicsDivine Justice

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