Jewish Speaking

Jewish Speech. Themes and Theology of Jewish Speech. Jewish Speaking

Selections from traditional sources

This influential 20th-century Jewish figure established his reputation first and foremost as an opponent of lashon hara, evil speech.

Jewish Speech. Themes and Theology of Jewish Speech. Jewish Speaking

The Bible would have us offer reproof to others when we ourselves have been wronged; the ancient rabbis encouraged wider use of this sort of speech.

Types of Jewish Speech. Themes and Theology of Jewish Speech. Jewish Speaking.

Jewish law's response to slander over the ages moved from strong disapproval to imposing real communal consequences.

Jewish moralist literature sets a high standard of truthtelling, but one not without exceptions.

The act of speaking an oath or a vow aloud gives it binding force in traditional Jewish law.

Every kind of trafficking in evil report or rumors—whether true or not—by carrying them from one person to another, or by relating unpleasant or harmful facts about another, is forbidden.