Remember what Hashem did to Miriam on the way, when you went out of Egypt. (24:9) Rashi explains: If you wish to take precautions against being stricken with leprosy, then do not speak slander, derogatory remarks. Remember what was done to Miriam, who spoke on her brother Moshe and was stricken with tzara'ath. Why is the punishment of Miriam mentioned? Since the Torah is cautioning us to be aware of the punishment of tzara'ath, Hashem is reminding us that He will be very strict in enforcing the sin of speaking Loshon Harah, slander, by bringing proof of the punishment to Miriam, who spoke Loshon Harah upon Moshe. Even though, according to the Meforshim, Miriam could have justified her behavior, the Torah put out a warning on the harshness of any talk that could be close to slander.
To understand this, there is a story: Once, when the Vilna Gaon zt'’l was traveling, his wagon driver brought the horse and wagon into someone else's field so that his horse could eat from the hay and crops that were there. The wagon driver left for a short while, and the Vilna Gaon was alone on the wagon. The owner of the field saw the horse grazing in his field and became angry. He only found the Vilna Gaon on the wagon, and assuming that he was the driver, hit him for bringing his animal into his field. The Vilna Gaon repeated this story to his student, Reb Chaim Volozhiner zt''l, and added that he could have easily saved himself by telling the man that he was just a passenger, and he wasn't guilty of what happened. However, that would be Lashon Harah! He preferred to suffer beatings and humiliation, than to speak Lashon Harah.
We can add a twist to this story: The Gaon preferred to face humiliation in this world, rather than having to face the heavenly court, and having to rectify his answer. This is what the Torah is warning: Be extremely cautious regarding Lashon Harah otherwise you shall face the consequences of a harsh punishment.
(Yehuda Z. Klitnick)
