The Chofetz Chaim enumerated 31 Torah Commandments which may be violated when a person speaks or listens to loshon hora. There are 17 prohibitions and 14 positive Commandments - a total of 31 Commandments.
Prohibition number 6: The posuk in Vayikra 22:32 says:
"You shall not profane my Holy Name"
We are warned not to cause a chilul HaShem.
There are a number of aspects to this prohibition (see Rambam, Sefer HaMitzvahs #63). If a person commits a transgression without deriving physical pleasure from it, it is considered a revolt against HaShem and a Chilul HaShem. Speaking loshon hora is in this category.
Prohibition number 7: The posuk in Vayikra 19:12 says:
"You shall not hate your brother in your heart"
If you act in a friendly manner towards someone in his presence but speak against him behind his back, you violate this prohibition. This prohibition refers only to concealed hatred (Sifra). When you openly tell someone about your dislike for him, you do not transgress this prohibition but are guilty of not fulfilling of loving a fellow Jew.
(Guard Your Tongue - Rabbi Zelig Pliskin)
A One Minute a Day Torah Thought !
"Don't concern yourself over what is already lost. Instead, guard what you still have".
(Rabbi Chaim Zev Wolf ZT"L - Sefer Torah Tavlin)
The Power of Prayer
The Torah states (Devorim 11:13)
"Serve Him with all your heart"
Rabbi Bachai comments on this: "The sages said (Gemorrah Ta'anis 2a) 'Which is the service of the heart? It is prayer'".
The power of prayer is so great that it can even change nature, save people from life-threatening dangers, and abolish a bad decree that was declared upon a person."
(Pathway to Prayer, Rabbi Meyer Birnbaum) |