A second way that Loshon Hora (evil talk) is damaging is that it inhibits your growth in holiness.

Demeaning others is self-demeaning. It hardens your heart and if you habitually speak words that put others down you will find yourself with few friends. A person given to habitual ‘evil talk’ cannot see the good in other people. He or she tends to primarily see the negative traits in others (at least what they consider negative which sometimes only means ‘different’) and the mouth gives expression to those inner criticisms & judgments.

This kind of person usually feels that they are surrounded in life by irritating, inconsiderate, inept people who make the world a disappointing and inconvenient place!

Rather self-centered, isn’t it?

But here’s the worst part: habitual judgment towards others produces an illusion of self-exaltation – the very antithesis of humility which is, of ALL virtues, most to be desired and sought. The admonition of Rabbi Shaul to the Romans is most fitting here: “For through the grace given to me I say to every man among you not to think more highly of himself than he ought to think; but to think so as to have sound judgment, as God has allotted to each a measure of faith.” Romans 12:3

Listen to your own words…it is the best test of truly knowing what is in your heart.

Shalom
Barbara Richmond