I would appreciate some Rabbinical insight into the laws governing Lashon Hara. A recent post detailed the alleged transgressions of a Rabbi within the context of a wider, philosophical question about Judaism and excommunication. (It was subsequently taken down, I think). In that case, I believe it was entirely necessary to cite the Rabbi's case. Is it considered Lashon Hara to discuss the evil acts of a person? If those acts represent a lesson to be learned, an insight to be gained, shouldn't we be able to talk (as objectively as possible) about them.

Here's a link that I came across to a series on the laws Loshon Hara.

Power of Speech

Thanks so much, Sam.

There is a great sefer called "Guard Your Tongue" which goes through the halachos of lashon hara very definitively. Many people review this halachos daily - learning 2 a day until completing the sefer and starting over. There is, I believe a calendar which you can use which stipulates which halachos to learn when so you can learn with a greater group - even though you are doing it individually.

Here's a link to the Chofetz Chaim Heritage Foundation which provides resources and telephone shiurim.

To Chaim5739:

I think this is an extremely delicate issue that cuts to the heart of ones motivation in discussing a person's "evil acts."

Is there something really to be learned?

Is there something positive really to be gained?

As for me, I know I'm deriving perverse pleasure from the discussion. And I think that's why I enjoy Chaim Walder's People Speakbooks so much.

They contain stories of the awful things that Jews do to other Jews under the thin guise of "teaching a lesson" or "gaining an insight".

I don't know about anybody else, but I don't learn a darn thing from these stories. But I find them vicariously thrilling. Loshon Hara stamped with the B'Datz.

What better way to spend a Shabbos afternoon? (Other than talking in shul.)