Power Talk

It seems to me that people in positions of authority over others are too often interested in condemning speech that would expose their sinful ways.
It is true that the wise talk about issues, and the foolish talk about people.
But, it is the devious that confuse this and try and remove the truth that when speaking about important issues that must be discussed, we must at times discuss the poor character of specific people. Reply

Some People who commit Loshen Hora do so, due to a distorted and paranoid view of their victim. They see their actions as righteous, when in fact the opposite is true. It seems like most people have been the victim of Loshen Hora at one time or another. I know I have. The answer to this terrible avera --of course-- is to view a person in light of their actions more than their words, and in light of proven accounts rather than merely trusting the opinions of others as third party reporters. Loshen Hora hurts everyone. And finally, if you look carefully at the letters of the words Loshen Hora is literally the opposite of Shalom: first we see the Lamed followed by the Shin and Nun (Loshen) in contrast to the Shin followed by the Lamed and Mem. (Sha-Lom). Reply

What if that person was your boss, and what if that boss sexually harassed and bullied you relentlessly for three months until you finally quit the job, threatened to disrupt your marriage, spread false rumors, and was heard saying she would kill you if you ever left her company? And what if that boss revealed certain activities that were in violation of the law and the ethical standards of your profession? Reply

Thank you for this post. It is so true. However, what if we simply choose to not speak of or associate with someone who has done very bad to us, is this acceptable? I have one that I can find very little good in and when a discussion of this person arises, I simply sit quietly. Trying in the past to repair only brought more opportunity to hurt me. Some people are simply mean, and seemingly driven by hurting others. Avoidance helps me. Am I wrong in doing so? Reply

My favorite! It's true. Reply

power talk (to anonymous) per your comment, guess i understood this daily dose to be simply a choice between gossiping or saying something good. surely, i hope if it came down to reporting a wrongdoing that could cause harm or hurt someone, hopefully, i would report it right away! Reply

Don't think I agree with all the recent postings Dear Rabbi,

Feel much blessed by the majority of past postings. The last four or five about say good things about not reporting bad peoples' bad actions, sounds like a way of letting perpetrators get away with abuse (verbal, sexual, emotional, psychological), breaking laws and/or harming others.

Speaking out against wrongs is a responsibility - the attitude of allowing perpetrators to break laws and hurt you or others is not okay.

Thank you for listening/reading.
kol tuv Reply

'talk' why NOT say something good? Reply

Reflections I can only see forms/characteristics in others that are present in a similar or same form of characteristic in me. What I see in others is a reflection of what is in me. Reply

Power Talk There are many ways I can approach dealing with a first comment for Power Talk. I definitely don't want to write something where I am perpetuating instead of transfixing and retelling a time where ugliness and deathly hate was left to grow inside me and a few others due to powerful talk. Due to words that were said. But I have grown to breathe easier these years. I have decided to try and help those that became of the walking dead due to hearing heavy gossip about me-The fact that there is still something I can do for them-helps me with my pain. Reply

so true... i tried it and it works! Reply