Yosef Roth
In this week’s Torah reading of Kedoshim, we learn a deep
insight into the psychology of people. The Torah tells us that we cannot speak
Loshon Hora (evil speech) and that we cannot stand idly while our friend’s
blood is being shed. Why are these two points mentioned in the same sentence?
The reason I believe is that when we speak Loshon Hora, we are actually
attempting to destroy that person. We can’t bring ourselves to actually kill
him, so we speak Loshon Hora about him instead. We therefore see the reason why
these prohibitions are in the same sentence. The Torah is teaching us that if
you say Loshon Hora about someone, it is really an attempt to destroy him or
her.