Apology for Listening to Lashon Hara
Question
If I heard lashon hara, do I need to ask for forgiveness if no harm was caused to him, only that I respect him a bit less? Is this considered damage that requires an apology?
Answer
Hello,
In principle, one should ask for forgiveness for listening to lashon hara.
However, many times if you tell the person who is the subject of the story, he will be distressed to hear about it, and in such a case, it is forbidden to tell him.
In any case, one must repent for having listened and believed, strive not to accept the story as truth, and decide not to repeat this sin again.
Answered by
Answers questions at Rav Amram Fried's Beit Horaah
Smicha "Yoreh-Yoreh" (2012), Rav Amram Fried's Beit Horaah
Orach Chaim, Yoreh Deah
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