SEFER CHOFETZ CHAIM
? Day 145 - Pure Intent
? Condition #5:
By commanding us, ¡°Do not go as a gossipmonger among your people¡± (Vayikra 19:16), the Torah is teaching us that to derive pleasure from spreading gossip runs contrary to the mature, dignified character expected of a Jew. Thus, one who derives pleasure from
spreading gossip has violated this commandment even when his report brings about a constructive result.
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Relating what would otherwise be considered rechilus for a constructive purpose is permissible only if one¡¯s intent is solely to accomplish that purpose. Deriving satisfaction from being ¡°involved in the action,¡± or from aborting the plans of someone who is
not well liked, is forbidden.
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Nevertheless, improper motivation cannot free one of his obligations to impart information for a constructive purpose. The Torah demands that we develop a correct mind-frame and come to the aid of our fellow Jew out of sincere concern.
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? SEFER SHMIRAS HALOSHON ? A Cardinal Rule ?
Generally speaking, unless one is certain that a given statement is not in the category of forbidden speech, he should not utter it. Even if he is inclined to think that it is a mitzvah to utter the statement and that he will receive reward in the World to
Come for it, nevertheless, he should refrain from doing so. In this way, he will be saved from Divine retribution.
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For example, if in fact one was obligated to speak critically of a certain individual and did not do so out of uncertainty, he will be able to come before the Heavenly Court and say, ¡°I was not sure whether or not I was permitted to criticize him to others;
therefore I chose to remain silent.¡¯¡¯ Conversely, if he will speak critically of the person when in fact this was wrong, or if he will mistakenly initiate a quarrel out of the conviction that it is a mitzvah to do so ¡ª how will he exonerate himself before
the Heavenly Court? How will he excuse his having spoken the forbidden and having been the cause of strife? He will not be able to say that his uncertainty impelled him to speak, for if he was uncertain he should not have spoken.
