You’ve found out information that your friend ought to know in order to prevent him from harm. However, you didn’t witness the negative situation firsthand. May you repeat it anyway?
Your friend is on the camp’s scholarship committee. He tells you that another member of the committee told everyone that the information on your brother’s scholarship application for his sons does not look correct. May you tell your brother what this person said?
THE DILEMMA
THE HALACHA
SHMIRAS HALASHON
Since your brother stands to be injured by the information — he might not get needed financial help for his children to be able to go to camp — there is a constructive purpose to your telling him. However, because you didn’t hear the words firsthand, you must tell him clearly that you’re only repeating what you heard, and he should not accept it as fact.
Sefer Chofetz Chaim, Be’er Mayim Chaim, Hilchos Rechilus 9:9
Reviewed by Rabbi Moshe Mordechai Lowy, shlita. For discussion only; pls consult a rav. From Chofetz Chaim Heritage Foundation's Shabbos Menu [email protected].
